Background checks are regarded as a routine component of the recruiting process. It has a significant role in whether someone is hired for a position. When hiring new personnel for the company, employers verify their backgrounds. Their criminal history, employment history, and work authorization are all included here. It is a technique to look into a person’s educational background, medical history, and driving records. Nowadays employers even look at social media profiles to find character traits. It is to determine if the person is suitable for the job.
Background checks on employees are allowed by both state and federal statutes. With the employees’ permission, they permit it with some restrictions. If the employer uses a third-party agency to do a background check, then yes. In the event that the employer chooses to request some information on their own for the most part, they can do this without the consent of the employees.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) limits the use of background checks on workers. These limitations are applicable if an employer chooses to use a third-party agency to assist with a background check. Along with other application documents, a separate authorization document must be issued by the employers for background check consent. However, if the employer does the inquiries on their own, no legal authorization is required. For instance, they can get in touch if they need to speak with your previous employer.
Employers must be aware of the new criminal background check regulations. This enables them to comprehend their limitations. It is crucial for employees to have this information so they can get ready for the background check.
What is included in the Employment Background Check?
An employment Background check includes:
Criminal Record
A criminal record check is one of the most important background checks run by companies. A thorough criminal check is run if the job requires high-security clearance. This includes financial or legal authority positions. To decide whether a candidate would be suitable for a job profile, companies run a criminal check. It is to ensure that they are able to maintain a safe working environment. These checks are necessary for safety and liability reasons.
Personal Records
Some records are not accessible to employers without the employee’s authorization. For example, school records are extremely confidential. That means to provide these records to employers, school authorities need your consent. It’s the same with Military records. Although they provide some specifications without consent, they won’t provide details. These records are generally required if you are applying for government jobs, schools, and children’s care centers. Government jobs need full background clearance.
Credit Records
Credit records are checked to see if employees are reliable and have a clean background. That includes all your work credits and student credits. It indicates how responsible you are as a person. This will initially show how you will contribute to the organization you would apply for.
Social Media Profiles
Social media profiles tell a lot about someone’s character and personality traits. Employers do not need consent to check their social media profiles. This kind of check helps employers understand their employees on a deeper level. The social media impact is increasing with this new era. It allows employers to catch any concerning behaviors in someone they will hire. Any character trait that could impact the company profile.
Final Words
Background checks for employees are done before an employer offers the job. Sometimes, organizations run the check after the person has been hired.
In case the employer decides not to hire you because of your background check, they must provide the “pre-adverse action disclosure”. This should include a copy of the background-check report with details of the agency hired by the company. The employee should be provided with the attached document of their rights to dispute the report.
