5 Things You May Not Know About Background Checks

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If you help with your organization’s hiring process or are applying for a new job, the impact and value of background checks are likely on your mind. Background checks equip hiring departments to make more informed decisions and expedite the entire process. While screening has become an extremely common part of hiring, few applicants or employers know what happens behind the scenes of background reporting.

To build strong background checks or apply with a better understanding of the process, it helps to know how screening reports are created. These five facts about background checks will help you handle screenings successfully.

Reporting a criminal record can be complicated

You won’t find one all-inclusive database where you can collect someone’s entire criminal history. Criminal records are dispersed throughout thousands of county, state and federal court documents, so it requires know-how and skill to compile a criminal record.

There is a wide variety of background checks

Most background reports offer more comprehensive information than a criminal history check. At One Source, a screening report includes a criminal record as well as applicant history trace, sex offender registry checks, global watchlist reports and additional screenings if you request them.

Applicants must be aware of and approve every screening you perform

According to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), employers must get informed, written permission from every individual they wish to screen. This protects applicants’ rights and gives a clear protocol if employers want to remove an applicant from consideration due to their report.

Complete background reports can be created quickly

As we explained earlier, compiling the information in a screening report takes thorough checking and research. However, professionals working with excellent systems can build comprehensive reports in a matter of days. One Source can deliver a report in 48 hours while upholding the highest standard of quality.

The most effective screening processes continue beyond hiring

The most important time to run background checks is during hiring but making ongoing checks a regular expectation helps too. When your employees expect rescreening, they place trust in your culture of security and hold themselves accountable.

As you embark on your job search or hiring process, know what to expect from background checks. And know that One Source is here to partner with you to deliver expertise and excellence in screenings.

One Source Resource Review: September–December 2019

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At One Source, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive, transparent and useful background check education and resources. We are experts in the screening industry, and we believe everyone should have access to professional insights to determine their security needs. Our blog is full of advice and information about background checks to answer your questions and broaden your knowledge.

As our blog expands, we will curate posts and include them in this review of our website’s resources. The blog posts are categorized by topic and include a summary of their key points. We hope these review posts will make it easier to find the information you need and utilize our knowledge when you need it. With that said, let’s dive into the One Source Resource Review. 

General Background Check Information

Frequently Asked Questions about Pre-Employment Background Checks

Learn all the basics about background checks and screening companies with these in-depth FAQs. We discuss timelines, the contents of reports and how a partnership with a screening agency can help you.

When You’re Ready to Run a Background Check, Start Here

No matter the reason for your screenings or the scale of your background check process, it can be tricky to know where to start. Our simple steps can help you begin screening with confidence.

What background checks do — and don’t — include

It can be difficult to choose the background check company best suiting your needs if you are not sure what they report. This blog breaks down our TotalCheck package so you know exactly what to expect.

How far back does a background check report?

This question is an entry point to our explanation of the legal expectations and limitations of background checks. We overview the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and the rights it gives to the subjects of checks.

Debunking 5 common background check myths

We clear up the screening industry’s biggest misconceptions while discussing the ways background checks can benefit any organization.

Your Fair Credit Reporting Act compliance crash course

This blog includes a cautionary tale for businesses not complying with the FCRA and clear instructions to ensure you are in line with its regulations.

Employers and Hiring Departments

The 5-step guide to starting your company’s background check process

If your business is hiring several new team members soon, this blog is a must-read. We take you through the entire process of identifying your background check needs and how to put a plan in action.

A beginner’s guide to completing background checks

For those who have never conducted a background check before, this is an excellent place to start. We cover all the basics and are always available to answer questions.

4 Reasons to Screen Applicants with a Criminal Background Check

Background checks do more than just verify your applicants’ histories. They can help protect—and even grow—your business by promoting a positive culture and maintaining your image.

What Ban-the-Box Laws Mean for Employers

Many states no longer allow employers to ask applicants if they have criminal records. We explore what this means and how to promote security while complying with the law.

Volunteer Organizations

The Top 3 Reasons Nonprofit Volunteers Need Background Checks

One Source offers screening solutions designed specifically for nonprofits. Here’s how background checks can benefit your organization and volunteer base.

Does your organization need a background check process?

This checklist will help you evaluate the security requirements of your organization. Knowing this will help to create the best screening process for you, specific to your needs.

Questions Nonprofits Should Ask About Background Checks

Learn how to gather relevant information from background reports and develop an ethical hiring code with this guide.

Hiring Certified Contractors

Learn how to hire a reliable contractor

One Source has a set of guidelines dedicated to certified contractors so you can make educated decisions about your contractors.

OSCC Quarter 3 Report

We screened over 4,600 contractors in the third quarter of 2019 and built a report of our findings.

That will do it for this edition of the One Source Resource Review. To learn even more about One Source’s background check offerings, contact our Client Relations Team.

What Ban-the-Box Laws Mean for Employers

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Over the past several years, more than 33 states and 150 cities have created laws prohibiting employers from asking applicants if they have ever been convicted of a crime. These laws are called “ban-the-box” rules and businesses must shift their hiring practices to meet the requirements of the laws. As Congress considers a federal ban-the-box law, called the “Fair Chance Act,” let’s dig into what the law could mean, how it could impact your business and how to keep your hiring process compliant.

Origin of ban-the-box laws

Job applications often include the question, “Have you ever been convicted of a crime? Check yes or no.” That leaves the 60–70 million Americans who have a criminal record no choice but to check the “yes” box. Employers have used this question to narrow down their applicant pool without knowing the specifics or timing of candidate’s crime. Because of this hiring practice, those with criminal records have high unemployment rates, and studies show ex-offenders who do not find work are much more likely to commit another crime.

Ban-the-box laws have been introduced across the country to keep employers from asking about criminal history in initial job applications. Under these laws, it is illegal to disqualify an applicant from consideration just because they have a criminal record. Employers must at least know an applicant’s offenses to make an informed hiring decision.

Organizations working in security or with vulnerable populations are generally exempt from ban-the-box laws.

How you can meet ban-the-box requirements

Compliance with these kinds of laws and secure hiring practices are absolutely not mutually exclusive. With slight adjustments to your organization’s processes, you can build a safe workforce and in accordance with the law.

If necessary, update your organization’s application forms—removing criminal history questions and making sure outdated applications are completely inaccessible. You may also need to train your hiring managers how to handle applications and interviews to stay ban-the-box compliant.

Even if a state or city does not have a ban-the-box law, it is becoming more common for companies to voluntarily remove criminal record questions from applications. If your organization chooses not to ask upfront about criminal history but still needs to consider criminal offenses, decide when in the hiring process would be best to inquire about a background check.

To give all applicants a fair chance and make informed hiring choices, partner with a background check agency giving you a comprehensive report of applicants’ criminal records. Background reports will show you what crimes an applicant was convicted of, how long ago the crimes were and how relevant they are to your organization.

With the assistance of background checks, you can accommodate ban-the-box laws and make the best possible hiring choices for your team. Contact our Client Relations team to learn more about criminal background checks and how One Source can help you.