The Dos and Don'ts of Conducting Background Checks on Potential Employees

1. The Dos and Don'ts of Conducting Background Checks on Potential Employees Hiring the right employees is crucial to the success of any business, and conducting background checks is an essential part of the hiring process. However, it's important to understand the dos and don'ts of conducting background checks to ensure that you're not violating any laws or infringing on the privacy of potential employees. In this article, I'll be sharing with you the dos and don'ts of conducting background checks on potential considerations to the best practices, you'll learn everything you need to know to conduct effective background checks that are both legal and ethical. employees. From the legal

2. The Legalities of Conducting Background Checks Before you even begin conducting background checks on potential employees, it's important to understand the legalities involved. The first thing you need to do is ensure that your background checks comply with federal and state laws. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that regulates the collection, dissemination, and use of consumer information, including background checks. It's important to note that the FCRA applies to third-party background check companies, but it also applies to employers who conduct their own background checks. Dos of Conducting Background Checks Now that we've covered the legalities, let's dive into the dos of conducting background checks on potential employees. Here are some best practices to keep in mind: 1. Be Consistent When conducting background checks, it's important to be consistent. Develop a clear policy for conducting background checks and apply it to all employees and applicants. This will help ensure that you're not discriminating against any particular group or individual. 2. Verify Relevant Information Make sure that the information you're verifying is relevant to the position the employee will be filling. For example, if you're hiring a driver, it's important to verify their driving record. 3. Be Transparent Be transparent with employees and applicants about the background check process. Let them know what information you'll be verifying and why.

3. Types of Background Checks There are several types of background checks that you can conduct on potential employees. Here are the top 20 background check services: 1. Criminal Background Checks Criminal background checks are one of the most common types of background checks. They involve searching for any criminal convictions or arrests in the applicant's past. This check should include National, State, and local level. 2. Employment Verification Employment verifications involves confirming the applicant's work history, including their job title, salary, and dates of employment. At GBS, we help conduct 3. Education Verification Education verification involves confirming the applicant's educational background, including their degrees and certifications. 4. Credit History Checks For positions involving financial responsibilities, a credit history check may be necessary to assess the applicant's financial stability and responsibility. 5. Driving Record Checks For positions that require driving, a driving record check is essential to ensure the applicant has a valid driver's license and a safe driving history. Depending on the state and purpose these checks go back 3-7 years. 6. Professional License Verification

4. Professional license verification is necessary for positions that require specific licenses or certifications. This check verifies the applicant's license status and ensures it's valid and up-to-date. 7. Social Media Checks A social media check can help assess an applicant's online presence, including their behavior and appropriateness on various platforms, which may impact the company's reputation. 8. Drug Screening A drug test may be conducted to ensure the applicant does not have any illegal substances in their system, promoting a safe and drug-free work environment. If your require government regulated DOT drug testing, it's important to have a provider that provides compliant and user-friendly mobile ordering for your applicants. 9. International Background Checks For applicants with a history of living or working in other countries, an international background check verifies their criminal, employment, and education history abroad, ensuring a thorough evaluation. 10. Reference Checks Reference checks involve contacting the applicant's previous employers, colleagues, or other professional contacts to gain insights into the applicant's skills, work ethics, and overall fit for the position. 11. Civil Records Checks Civil records checks provide insight into an applicant's involvement in non-criminal legal disputes, such as lawsuits or restraining orders, which can help assess their overall responsibility and potential risk. 12. Bankruptcy Checks

5. A bankruptcy check can be useful for positions involving financial decision-making or handling sensitive financial information. This check reveals any past bankruptcies filed by the applicant. 13. Workers' Compensation History A workers' compensation history check helps identify any previous workers' compensation claims filed by the applicant. It can be useful for assessing potential risks and ensuring workplace safety. 14. Military Service Verification For applicants with a history of military service, a military service verification check confirms the accuracy of their service record, including branch, rank, and discharge status. 15. Sex Offender Registry Checks A sex offender registry check is crucial for positions involving interaction with vulnerable populations, such as children or the elderly. This check verifies whether the applicant is listed on any sex offender registries. 16. Healthcare Background Checks (FACIS Level I, II, III) Healthcare Background Checks involve a comprehensive screening of healthcare professionals to ensure patient safety and maintain industry standards. The Fraud and Abuse Control Information System (FACIS) is a widely used system with three levels of screening: 17. Adverse Media Searches Adverse media searches involve scanning various online sources such as news articles, blogs, and social media platforms to identify any negative media coverage associated with the applicant. This check can help assess potential reputational risks and maintain a positive company image.

6. 18. National Fingerprinting Services National Fingerprinting Services provide a biometric-based background check that uses the applicant's fingerprints to search for criminal records in national databases like the FBI's Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS). 19. Company Background Checks Company Background Checks are useful for businesses that are looking to establish partnerships, evaluate vendors, or conduct due diligence on potential acquisitions. 20. Volunteer Background Checks Volunteer Background Checks are specifically designed for individuals applying for volunteer positions, especially in organizations working with vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, or individuals with disabilities. Get In Touch With Us: Follow Us: +1 8555615890 global_background_screening/ globalbackgroundscreening/ www.globalbackgroundscreening.com Also Find Us On: https://tinyurl.com/3a843wt9 https://tinyurl.com/3c9j83jk https://tinyurl.com/2bt7s5up https://tinyurl.com/4e9xknz3