Below are some of the FAQs frequently asked questions about Employee Background Checks and verification.
What Is Included In An Employee Background Check?
An employee background check is a review of an individual’s criminal, employment, and/or financial records. Many employers conduct background checks on job candidates. Few employers conduct checks after they have hired an employee.
At the point when employers use a third-party to check an individual’s background, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) restricts what they are permitted to check, and how. The FCRA is a federal legislation that sets the standards for screening for employment. The FCRA characterizes a background check as a consumer report.
What Does A Background Screening Consist Of?
The most well-known background checks comprise of criminal history, education, past work confirmations, and reference checks. These reports could likewise incorporate consequences of pre-employment drug testing. The objective is for an employer to feel confident a new hire will not carry predictable difficulty to the working environment.
How Do Background Checks Work?
Pre-employment background verifications must be directed cautiously and in compliance with privacy laws, and regulations. Informational data such as bankruptcies, worker’s compensation claims, and some criminal records information data are a matter of public record. Other information, such as credit history check, requires an applicant’s written consent, as per the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
In addition to creating a safer and more secure environment, criminal record checks can also produce other important benefits, such as:
- Identifying potentially risky hires
- Helping safeguard your organization’s reputation
- Protecting organizational assets
- Fostering trust among current employees
Conducting a criminal history search that is tailored to the requirements of the position not only helps to lessen the potential for on-the-job incidents, it can also help organizations avoid or defend potential negligent hiring lawsuits.
How Long Do Pre-Employment Background Checks Take To Come Back?
Most background checks can be finished between three days minimum to one week maximum. Albeit few instant background checks are available, these depend on information databases that can be incomplete or inaccurate. Instant criminal records databases, specifically, often contain numerous errors. Securecheck360 believes it is better off waiting a bit longer and having a more thorough and accurate report.
Which Employment Screens Are Best For Your Organization?
When people think of background checks, basic criminal history reports ring a bell. Securecheck360 recommends Social Security Trace service the most. However, there are lots of different employment screens that you can run based on your needs.
Who Does Background Screening?
A background check is a process that a company uses to verify that a person is whom they claim to be. Different type of background checks employers considers:
- Criminal History Check
- Employment Verification Check
- Educational Verification Check
- Reference Check
- Drug Screening
- Sexual Offender Registry Check
- Credit Background Check
- Social Media Check
- Driving Record Check
- Identity Check
- SSN Trace
- Resume Validations
- License and Certificate confirmation
How Long Does A Background Screening Check Take?
Typically, background checks for employment take anywhere from one day to one week. There are numerous things that could slow down the screening process.
How Much Does A Background Check Cost?
Everything relies upon how much expansiveness and profundity is desired in a background check. Securecheck360 delivers the most accurate criminal record background checks available. Depending on the complexity of the screening, the cost for such a check can range from under $50 – $300. Depending on the volume, Securecheck360 provides the most cost-effective option.
Do Job Applicants Have To Consent To Background Checks?
The law generally allows employers to investigate your past before hiring you. However, you must give your consent before an employer can gather certain kinds of information. And the law limits how employers may use the results of a background check.
What Causes A Red Flag On A Background Check?
Irregularity found in experience or education. One of the most red flags on a background check is inconsistency. On the off chance that background verification pulls up unexpected data in comparison to what the applicant and their resume let you know, candidate have to explore the issue.
What If My Background Is Being Checked? What Are My Rights?
The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions (FACT) Act was enacted in 2003 and amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act. The FACT Act entitles consumers to obtain one free copy of their consumer files from certain consumer reporting agencies during every year time span.
How Can I Get Updates On My Background Check?
You can determine if anyone viewed your credit history by requesting a copy of your credit report from each major credit reporting bureau. The Fair Credit Reporting Act requires credit bureaus to make your credit report available to you free of charge at least once in a year.
What Formats Are Accepted In Background Check For Uploads?
SecureCheck360 can accept JPEG, JPG, BMP, GIF, PDF, and PNG formats for uploads.
How Pre-Hiring Employee Checks Are Done By Credit Reporting Agencies?
Under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act and California Consumer Reporting Agencies Act, employers with a legitimate business need may access credit reports. Employers have a legitimate business need to see an applicants or employee’s consumer credit as part of their background check as long as the employer uses this report to evaluate the applicant for hire.
Why Is A SSN Trace Important?
While a Social Security Number (SSN) trace isn’t required for most criminal record checks, our Complete Criminal Record Locator uses a Social Security Number Trace to automatically find and search more criminal records than any other background screening provider
What Do I Do If I Think I Have Been A Victim Of Identity Theft?
To file an identity theft report, you must file either a police report or a report with a government agency such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). You can put an initial fraud alert on your credit report if you trust you are (or are about to become), a victim of fraud or identity theft.
What Is Included In Motor Vehicle Record Checks?
A Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) is the documentation of individual driving history. The information in an MVR includes information about:
- Drivers traffic citations
- Vehicular crimes
- Accidents
- Driving under influence (DUI) Convictions
- Number of points on the individual driver’s license
Why Do Employers Adopt Background Screening?
The background check is often a final step taken by employers to help guarantee a sound recruiting choice and shield the business from numerous potential risks.
How Can I Verify An Applicant’s Work History?
Securecheck360 verifies an applicant’s employment history, including previous job titles and job descriptions, as well as start and end dates. Our verification expertise team contacts previous employers to manually verify information and the accuracy of a candidate’s application.
How Far Back Do Employers Check Work History?
Employers usually request a candidate’s work history for the past seven years, although employment background screening can go up to ten years in some states.
How Are Reference Checks Done?
Securecheck360 typically considers reference check form when we check a job applicants’ references. Majorly by utilizing a form and standard set of questions to cross check the information provided by the applicant.
Securecheck360 reference check incorporates several steps. The employer could simply verify dates of employment and job titles and dates of attendance at education institutions and the degree honoured. A deep reference check will involve discussing to receive references to gain insight into candidate’s skills, qualification, and abilities to perform required job duties.
How Do I Verify The Contact Information Of My Employees’ Previous Employers?
Rather than rely on information the candidate supplies, get in contact with the company human resources department directly and ask them who you should talk to that can verify the candidate’s employment information. This ensures you’re talking to the right person.
Are Employers Required To Give Employment Verification?
There are no official laws that require employers to verify employment of former employees. However, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission stipulates that it’s illegal to refuse to provide information based on race, sex, color and other non-job-related factors.
Can Employers Screen Users Without Authorization From Employee For A Background Check?
An employer is not permitted to run the screening without a proper signed authorization form in many states. This leaves the employer in the difficult position of determining how to treat the situation. He/she may decide that it is too risky to hire the applicant because he/she must be hiding something by not agreeing to the release.
What Is E-Verify Background Check?
This check verifies the employee’s identity and employment eligibility.
What Does E-Verify Stands For?
E-Verify System is short for Employment Eligibility Verification Program. It is an internet-based computer application that permits employers to verify the employment eligibility (work-authorization status) of newly hired employees, electronically over the internet. E-Verify are operated by the U.S.
What Is A Form I-9?
Form I-9 is used for verifying the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired for employment in the United States. All the U.S. employers must ensure proper completion of Form I-9 for each individual they hire for employment in the United States.
What Is Education Verification?
Education verification confirms the sort of degree received and date of finishing, directly with the school administrative registrar. SecureCheck360 is a PBSA certified company, and we maintain a database of legitimate educational establishments just as known diploma mills to quickly distinguish them during the educational verification process.
How Can I Verify An Applicant’s Education History?
Securecheck360 provides in-depth education history verification, professional licensure, and certification checks to ensure all subtleties on a candidate’s resume are valid and complete. We contact the school via Phone, e-mail or fax. We use other vendors when needed.
What Is License Verification?
A license verification checks uncover the information that applicant has a valid license as claimed. Most common license verification usually verifies factors such as, CPA, RN, MD, State Bar, etc. This verification also identifies any restrictions or violations committed with the license. This check helps protect the employer from negligent hiring.
What Is A Professional Licenses Background Check?
This check is simply to verify that the applicant possesses a valid license.
What Is A Credit Background Check?
This check is typically used for applicants at financial positions and reviews the worker’s credit report, including payment history, civil judgments, tax liens, bankruptcies, unpaid bills in collections and recent credit inquiries.
How Do I Confirm My Background Checks Are Legal?
Our background checks comply with Federal and State background screening guidelines, and our expert compliance team keeps steady over each State’s current legislative and regulatory updates. Our automated screening technology applies relevant content filters based on State and Federal laws. Likewise, we provide regular updates on State legislation. We additionally keep you educated by facilitating employment screening webinars with recertification credits.
Can An Employer Conduct A Background Check Before Extending An Offer Of Employment?
Federal law does not prohibit employers from conducting background checks before a proposal of work is made.
State laws, however, may have limitations. Although in most states a standard background check can be led before an offer of work is made, few States do not permit it.
What Information Do I Need To Run An Accurate Background Check?
To perform a background check, you will need to get the full name, social security number, and date of birth of the employee. You will also need the employee’s permission for credit reports, school transcripts, and military records.
Can Employers Use Criminal Records While Making Hiring Decisions?
Yes. Most states allow employers to use criminal records when making hiring decisions. When making this type of hiring decision, the employer must show that there was “business necessity” for making the hiring decision. There must be some showing that the employer’s policy is reasonably related to the job requirements.
Can Employers Use Arrest History In Hiring Decisions?
Most states have laws that ban the use of arrest history that did not lead to conviction in hiring decisions. Few States permit the utilization of arrest records, however, an employer may not naturally bar people from employment based on their arrest record. When an arrest record is used, it is only appropriate for an employer to use arrest records in a hiring decision when:
- The arrest is recent; It is likely the applicant committed the crime; and there is a relationship between the position and the reason for arrest (For instance, you were arrested for burglary and going after a clerk job).
What Happens If Applicant Has A Criminal Record?
For many individuals, an unforeseen consequence of being accused of a criminal record is that you might be disqualifying yourself from certain careers or job opportunities. It is normal for potential employers to perform criminal checks when they are hiring new employees.
What Are Statutes Of Limitations On Criminal Records?
The statute of limitations is a legal statute dictating the amount of time that criminal records are valid and accessible. After the end of a particular statute of limitation with regard to criminal records, those criminal records must be destroyed.
Does Federal Crime Show Up On A Background Screening Check?
Federal criminal history will not show up on state and county background checks. Henceforth, it is essential to screen your applicant at the Federal level. After all, your employee’s safety, your company’s safety, and your personal safety are at higher risk.
Will Felony Charges Show Up On A Background Screening Check?
Majorly, all background checks include criminal history check based on the information supplied by the candidate, including their Social Security Number. These checks will reveal felony and misdemeanour criminal convictions, any pending criminal cases, and any history of incarceration as an adult. Arrests pending prosecution may also be shown up.
What Is An International Background Check?
This check provides access to international criminal records, education and employment verification for employees who lived, worked or studied in another country.
What Is Office Of The Inspector General (OIG) Background Check?
This check looks for healthcare-related crime history in candidates applying for jobs in federally funded healthcare programs.
How Do I Prepare For My Background Check?
7 Ways to Prepare Yourself for a Background Check Before Your Interview
- Run a Criminal Background Check on yourself.
- Contact Courts to rectify any inaccurate information.
- Consider the Criminal Record Expungement.
- Review your Social Media profiles.
- Review your Resume for Truth and Accuracy.
- Ask Former Employers Permission to Use Them as References.
- Request a Copy of Your Driving Record and Credit Report
Who Needs Drug And Alcohol Screenings?
The simple answer: almost everyone. Employers from a wide variety of industries rely on pre-employment and periodic drug and alcohol screenings to protect your well-being as their employee, as well as your co-workers and, depending on the industry you work in, the public.
What Are The Steps Involved In Employee Drug Testing?
Employee drug screening is getting more complicated in the face of new laws. Creating and maintaining an operational drug testing program at the workplace is essential. It helps an employer improve the quality of its workforce and their safety. Reduce employee healthcare costs and maximize productivity.
SecureCheck360 offer comprehensive drug testing in compliance with applicable screening policies and government regulations. This screening can be done prior employing a candidate as well as after employment to check on any drug abuse.
- 5 step procedure:
- Step 1: Applicant/Employee provides a form to employers to give to their applicants for a visit to a certified local lab. This form can be customized upon request.
- Step 2: The applicant need not make an appointment; they just need to walk-in during the laboratory working hours to perform the test.
- Step 3: Lab verified technicians analyses the specimen.
- Step 4: If found normal, the result will be obtained in 24-48 hrs. If the results come out positive in any way, it is sent to a Medical Review Officer (MRO) and will need to be re-analyses the test performed.
- Step 5: Whether positive or negative results are reported on the drug test and sent to employer in a portable document format.
What Do I Bring To A Drug Test?
A valid (non-expired) picture ID such as a passport, driver’s license, military ID, employee badge, or any other photo ID that was issued by a federal, state, or local government agency.
All authorization forms or paperwork from your employer.
When Do Drug And Alcohol Screenings Typically Take Place?
The frequency and timing of a screening typically relies upon your employer and the regulations within your State; however, employers may demand drug and alcohol testing in these circumstances:
- Pre-employment
- Return-to-duty following a workers’ compensation claim
- Post-accident
- Reasonable suspicion or cause
- Randomly
What Are The Latest Laws Which Related To Medical Marijuana In Background Screening Industry?
Ban-the-box laws
Ban-the-box laws delay timing in which businesses can question candidates about their criminal history. While city and State laws differ, at minimum, ban-the-box measures prohibit the checkbox on an initial employment application that asks if a candidate has ever been committed a crime. Ban-the-box laws do not restrict criminal background checks, but instead, they may affect the timing, scope, of adjudication of a candidate’s criminal history.
Fifteen States and twenty-three cities and counties have passed ban-the-box laws aimed at private employers that intent to level the playing field to give ex-offenders a fair chance at hiring. Nearly, four new laws were implemented or become active over the first half of the year 2020.
Fifteen States and twenty-three cities and counties have passed ban-the-box laws aimed at private employers that intent to level the playing field to give ex-offenders a fair chance at hiring. Nearly, four new laws were implemented or become active over the first half of the year 2020.
How Do You Protect My Privacy?
Securecheck360 respects the privacy of our online visitors, employees, clients, and clients’ employees and candidates. We aim to collect, use, disclose, and retain personal individual data as per your desires and the applicable laws.
What Is Fingerprint Background Check?
This check is mandatory for applicants at Government-run institutions and checks a person’s criminal history from authorized criminal justice agencies.
How Disputes Are Managed In Background Checks?
Background checks gather information from a variety of sources, including credit reporting agencies and criminal history records. If there is a mistake in your background check, then applicant first step is to lodge a dispute with the background screening company.
Filing a Dispute with a Screening Company:
- Contact the background screening company (the employer is obligated to give you the name, address, and telephone number of the company that performed the background screening check).
- Complete a dispute form (the background screening company will have a dispute form that you must fill out).
- Wait for the results. (Under federal law, background screening companies have 30 days to reinvestigate.