By Jacqueline McClure
Communications, Genesis Background Screening Services
If your company’s Human Resource department uses criminal history reports to implement Best Practices when making hiring decisions, you could be at risk if you aren’t keeping up with compliance laws. And, you could be missing out on qualified candidates by prematurely screening out people that could make great employees.
Nearly one in three American adults1 have arrests or convictions in their past that could affect their ability to get hired. Some of these arrests are for very minor offenses or even made in error. If you think that an arrest made in error is automatically gone from the records when the charges are dropped, you would be wrong! Incomplete, inaccurate records can follow an applicant around for their entire life impairing their ability to gain employment and support their families. Even if your candidate has a conviction, it could be for a very minor offense several years ago.
Some states are passing Ban-the-Box legislation that alters employment applications by removing the question box regarding criminal history. The purpose is to counteract the disproportionate affect that the question box has had on minorities. The question can still be asked about criminal history and background checks can be performed, but only after an applicant has been deemed qualified for the position. The purpose of this change is to judge candidates more on merit and not solely on past mistakes.
How can your company avoid risk of non-compliance and possible financial loss? Partnering with a knowledgeable professional background screening company is the best way to be sure your reports are interpreted correctly and that you are compliant with current regulations. Not only can the right partner serve your background screening needs, they can help you implement Best Practices for your Human Resource department – all at an affordable cost. For more information, please contact Genesis Background Screening Services at 866-944-0041 ext 106, email getstarted@gbsspro.com or visit www.genesisbackgroundscreening.com
