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Hiring Employee

How to Avoid the Major Traps of Running Background Checks?

The requirement to complete a background check is common these days, and there are plenty of reasons why this is a smart idea. Not only do most employers require background checks, but they also do so in apartments and rental agencies. These businesses also need to know that their future employees are safe for their work crew, or that future tenants are safe for their apartments or condos.

The examples above are only just a few instances that require background checks. Even though background checks are common, utilizing the information provided properly is important to avoid legal issues. Also, trusting the company that does the check is important. This ensures that the information is accurate and legal traps are avoided.

Many times we do not get to choose the background check company, but if we do, there are some major traps you need to know about. Continue reading to learn about these and how to avoid them.

Making a Hiring Decision Based on a Faulty Background Check

When you or any company uses background check services, this company must be trusted. Research needs to be done into the company before a contract is even set up. This helps to eliminate the potential for a faulty background check.

A reliable background check company gives detailed information on their findings. It is then the responsibility of the party who requested the check to follow up on this report. After the findings of the background check, the employer should give the future employee a chance to correct any errors. If this is not done and a person with a questionable background or faulty background check is hired, then the company becomes liable.

Any negative or harmful thing that this new employee does makes the employer liable because they did not follow the recommendation and results of the background check.

The best way to avoid making a hiring mistake following a background check is to speak with the candidate again, allowing them an opportunity to explain any questionable information returned by the background check.

Violating Screening Laws

The next trap to be aware of when running background checks is the screening laws. Screening laws are set in place by every state, but they can vary.

Even though you have hired a company to do the background checks, it is ultimately up to you, as the employer, to ensure that the company you are working with is following those laws. One tip to do this is by asking the background check company questions about how they get their information and other things that relate to the screening laws. This way you can trust that the hired background company is not breaking any laws.

If screening laws are being broken for the background checks you are using, then you are liable for this. There could be penalties, such as a lawsuit.

Digging Deep

Understand how deep your company should dive into a person’s background and make sure it is standard across the board for any person who applies for that position. Some companies require only a criminal background check to ensure they know if a person is a convicted felon, while others go further to require financial information, fingerprint screening, and drug testing.

As the employer, you need to be able to set proper limits. For example, when applying for a government position, it is more likely that a potential employee will have to go through multiple layers of drug, criminal, and financial background checks. If you are applying as a driver, a driving record will also need examination. However, financial backgrounds and driving history is not necessary for a cook at a restaurant or customer service rep in a store.

Screening Job Candidates

Trusting Your Background Check Company

In the end, it all comes down to doing your research and being able to select a trustworthy background check company for your needs. This is where Affordable Background Checks comes in. We have been performing background checks for countless years and have a proud service record for independent small businesses as well as large corporations.

We offer different types of background check services so you can trust that we have one that fits your specific needs and follows all the necessary laws. Contact us today for more information. We are happy to speak to you.

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Gavin Muirhead

Gavin Muirhead has been involved in developing products for background checks and improving online experiences in the background screening industry since 2012. He is the lead author and editor of Affordable Background Checks.