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One Source Celebrates National Consumer Protection Week

One Source The Background Check Company is celebrating National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) March 2nd-6th, alongside government agencies and organizations nationwide. During this week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)  focuses on helping individuals understand their consumer rights and protect their personal information. One Source is joining in to help employers and applicants understand what information a screening agency collects and how it’s used and secured.


What information is collected?

Two types of information is collected: Personally identifiable information and non-personally identifiable information. Personally identifiable information (PII) is just what it seems, any information that can identify you (such as your name, address, and IP address). It does not include statistical information. Based on your relationship with the screening agency, you may be asked to provide certain PII. Non-personally identifiable information (non-PII) cannot be used to trace the identity of an individual. It’s simply data that is anonymous.  Non-PII is usually collected by businesses to track and understand the digital behavior of their consumers.


Why information is collected and with whom it is shared?

Most information collected by a screening agency is for the purpose of screening an individual consumer. The background check is only done upon the request of a user who has a permissible purpose under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) to request information on that consumer. In cases of employment as a permissible purpose, the FCRA requires a user to certify to the screening agency that it has obtained the written consent of the consumer to request information before the requested screening information can be supplied.


How is the collected information used?

Our primary purpose in collecting personal information is to provide you with a safe, smooth, efficient, and customized experience. Personal information, such as date of birth and social security number, is never shared unless required to verify a record and then is only shared once the vendor has been fully vetted.

Learn about One Source’s Privacy Policy, including how information is secured and data retention here.

As a Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA), One Source and our clients must be aware of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Check out for more tips for Employers’ on the Fair Credit Reporting Act here. More information is also available at http://www.ftc.gov/ncpw.

To learn more, contact One Source Client Relations.

A Guide To Screening Contractors and Contingent Workers

Whether you’re a business owner in search of a consultant or a school superintendent looking to renovate, you’ll need to find and hire a contractor. Contractors, or contingent workers, follow a unique format of employment that depends on the expectations of those who enlist their services.

Since contractors are hired on a temporary, project-to-project basis, it can be unclear whether they should be subject to screenings like full-time employees. Contracting agencies often run background checks on individuals before they can join the agency. However, it’s impossible to know if those checks match your organization’s screening standards.

If you hire contractors, get in touch with a screening solutions provider that complies with the rights of contractors while still upholding your screening standards. Below we’ll discuss some rules about screening contractors and contingent workers to ensure you find the best contractor for your needs.

How should I handle contractor screening?

In order to decide the best background check process for contractors, think about the nature of your organization and what you expect of each contractor.

Some questions to consider as you outline your contractor screening policy include:

  • Is your organization regulated by any federal or state screening requirements?
  • Will the contractor interact with any vulnerable populations like children or the elderly while working on your property?
  • Could the contractor potentially have access to your organization’s sensitive information?

Determining the level of access a contractor will need and considering your industry’s screening regulations will clarify the kind of background check you should choose for contractors. When in doubt, follow the same screening policy you use for full-time employees. This ensures everyone working for you is screened equally and helps prevent discrimination claims.

What should I look for on a contractor’s background report?

At One Source, we provide simple, efficient contractor screening solutions to help you choose the right contractors for every job. It can sometimes be tricky to determine on your own what a background report really means, but we work with you to take the guesswork out of the entire process.

When you receive a certified contractor report from One Source, you will see if he or she does or does not meet our requirements. This way, you can quickly determine whether to hire a certain contractor. Your project will begin sooner and your organization remains safe with the contractor you choose. That’s just a beginning guide to screening contractors and contingent workers. 

To learn more about One Source’s contractor screening offerings, reach out to the One Source Client Relations Team.

9 Websites Your HR Team Needs to Bookmark

Human resources teams are the multitaskers, recruiters, coaches, cheerleaders and everyday administrators that keep companies going and thriving. While juggling payroll, benefits and hiring, they also need to keep up with news and trends in the HR industry. 

These nine websites your HR team needs to bookmark provide excellent resources to get quick updates on their field. Some analyze HR news, some break down ethical hiring practices and others have unique thought leadership to move your team forward. Bookmark your favorites and help your team stay sharp.

The Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA)

The PBSA is a trade organization that sets performance and ethical standards for background check agencies. They’re on the cutting edge of screening practices with plenty of resources and information for your hiring team. Check out their resources, education and accreditation tabs to learn how to choose an outstanding screening partner.

HR Bartender

Sharlyn Lauby, an HR consultant, is the friendly, welcoming voice of the HR Bartender blog. She fills her site with fun commentary, insightful opinions and thoughtful analysis of trends in the human resources world. Often, Lauby will answer reader questions from all perspectives of hiring and talent development. If you want enriching and educational content delivered with pizzazz, make a habit of visiting HR Bartender.

Fistful of Talent

The authors of Fistful of Talent take current events and uncover how human resources concepts appear in all of them. Their editorials offer approachable commentary and lessons about how to manage talent and grow teams.

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

While a bit more technical, the EEOC’s site has vital information for any hiring team. If you ever have a question about employment law or ethical hiring practices, you can check the EEOC’s publications page and peruse their variety of fact sheets. Basically, everything you need to know about equal opportunity employment lives on this site, even if you have to search a bit to find it.

Evil HR Lady

For off-the-wall, honest HR content with a pinch of sass, Evil HR Lady is your go-to blog. The writers aren’t afraid to tackle tough subjects with class and mundane topics with excitement. If you’re ever unsure how to handle a particularly difficult, weird or emotional HR situation, the answers are probably somewhere on this site.

TLNT

TLNT is a division of ERE Media, an online hub for recruiters. On the TLNT site, you’ll find professional news, analysis and opinions of the HR industry plus a daily e-newsletter and a curated feed of HR blogs from across the internet. So, TLNT is an all-in-one resource for everything talent and recruitment related.

Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)

SHRM stands as a key human resources trade organization with over 275,000 members around the world. They are thought leaders in the HR space with thousands of articles, reports and studies to inspire your team. Some content requires SHRM membership to view, but much of their best content is free.

BLR

One of the most unique features of BLR’s site is its comprehensive, easy-to-use search function. Therefore, they make it easy to hone down the exact topic and kind of content you need from their huge library of HR articles, presentations, quizzes and talking points. It’s especially useful if you need to find specific information about compliance or employment law.

One Source

Here at One Source, we have resources, blogs, FAQs, a glossary of background check terms and a responsive, knowledgeable Client Relations team. So, when you need background check guidance or hiring assistance, One Source will have your back and help create the best HR solutions for your team. Contact One Source Client Relations to learn more about our services and resources.