What is a Background Check: Everything You Need to Know
When it comes to hiring employees or renting out property, you want to ensure that the person you are entrusting with your business has a clean and trustworthy record. That’s where a background check comes in.
A background check is an investigation into a person's past, including their criminal history, employment history, credit history, and more. It is a comprehensive way to ensure that the person you are considering for a job or rental is who they say they are and that they have not engaged in any questionable behavior in the past.
How to Get a Background Check?
Background checks can be conducted by a professional screening company or by individuals themselves. Professional screening companies are equipped with the necessary tools and databases required to gather information from multiple sources effectively.
If you do decide to conduct a background check yourself, there are several ways to gather information. You can search public records or use online background-check services, but it is essential to ensure that the information you find is accurate and reliable.
The Top Benefits of Background Checks
1. Hiring the Right Candidate
The most significant benefit of a background check is that it allows employers to make informed decisions when hiring new employees. By looking at an applicant's criminal history and employment history, employers can determine if the applicant is a good fit for the job.
2. Safe Work Environment
Background checks can also enhance workplace safety by helping to identify potential risks. For instance, if a job requires handling sensitive information, a thorough background check can reveal if the applicant has a history of fraud or theft.
3. Minimizes Legal Risks
Employers can avoid legal liabilities that come with negligent hiring by conducting thorough background checks. If an employee causes harm to another employee, customers, or property, employers can claim they took necessary precautions to ensure a safe work environment.
The Challenges of Background Checks and How to Overcome Them
1. Access to Information
One of the biggest challenges of background checks is that information can be hard to access. Not all records are easily accessible or can be found online, so screenings companies have to rely on traditional research sources.
2. Cost
Professional background checks can be costly, especially for small businesses. In some cases, employers may consider performing background checks themselves to save money, but DIY background checks may not provide reliable results or expose sensitive information.
3. Legal Compliance
Background checks must comply with federal and state laws, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Companies must obtain written consent from applicants, provide proper disclosure forms, and adhere to specific regulations. Failure to adhere to these laws could lead to legal action.
Tools and Technologies for Effective Background Checks
Professional screening companies offer a range of products and services to make background checks easier and more accurate. One tool that they use is the Background Screening Index (BSI), which accesses a vast database of public records to retrieve criminal history, credit history, and address history.
In addition to the BSI, other useful tools for conducting background checks include online databases and background check software programs. Online databases allow for quick and efficient searches of public records, while software programs automate the background check process and allow for easy management of multiple background checks.
Best Practices for Managing Background Checks
1. Obtain Written Consent
Before conducting a background check, ensure that applicants sign a written authorization form. The form should provide applicants with a copy of their rights under the FCRA, and they need to acknowledge and authorize the check before the process starts.
2. Follow Federal and State Laws
Ensure that the background check process complies with federal and state laws. This involves getting applicants' consent, providing disclosure forms, and handling sensitive information appropriately.
3. Use Expert Advice to Navigate Legal Requirements
Seek advice from an expert in background screening services to ensure compliance with legal requirements. This expert should have knowledge of various state and federal laws that regulate screening.
Conclusion
Background checks are an essential tool for businesses of all sizes in hiring new employees and conducting other sensitive transactions. Whether you choose to use a professional screening company or conduct them yourself, it is essential to ensure that you follow legal requirements and ensure that the information you obtain is accurate and reliable. By following best practices and using the right tools and technologies, you can conduct effective background checks that will help you make informed business decisions.
