Consider several factors when looking for a background screening company. These include compliance, pricing, quality data, and turnaround time. One of the most important things to remember is that a background screening company needs to be FCRA-compliant. The FCRA protects job candidates’ and employers’ rights and privacy.
Legal Compliance
A background screening company must be legally compliant to run accurate and effective screenings. That means they must comply with the Federal Trade Commission and Fair Credit Reporting Act. They also need to understand the laws that protect job applicants and employees from discrimination based on race, national origin, gender, religion, disability, or age. They should also get written permission from the applicant or employee before they order a background report. A background check can help avoid fines, penalties, work stoppages, and lawsuits. It can also save you money in the long run by reducing the risk of fraud or identity theft. Legal compliance is a broad area, encompassing all aspects of the law and its effects on your business. It can include local, national, and international legislation, codes of practice, standards, and company policies.
Accreditation
One of the most important factors when looking for a background screening company is whether they are accredited. This means they have undergone a rigorous audit process to prove they comply with industry standards. Accredited background screening providers also adhere to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which governs how criminal reports are gathered and used. This ensures that only the most accurate and up-to-date sources are included in your background check reports.
Experience
When you’re looking for a background screening company, it’s essential to choose one with a team of experts who have experience in your industry. They can guide you through screening employees and help mitigate the risk of adverse and pre-adverse action letters. Background checks are a normal and necessary part of the hiring process. They allow employers to verify information about prospective employees, such as their credit history, education, and work history. Criminal background check searches include federal, state, and local records. They provide a wealth of information about the applicant’s criminal past and can protect your business from negligent hiring claims. The best background screening companies will have strong connections to fetch updated records from local county courthouses. They should also have experience in the type of criminal history your company needs. This means they can perform a thorough search, including unlawful arrest and conviction records, driving records, drug and health screening reports, and non-profit and volunteer activity verification.
Pricing
In a hiring environment where it’s vital to source great talent efficiently and effectively, background screening companies are under pressure to keep costs low without compromising the value of their services. For this reason, it’s essential to understand the factors contributing to a background check’s price. Ideally, you’ll find a screening partner that offers transparent pricing and explains pass-through fees in an easy-to-understand way. Access fees are charges a county or state may charge to obtain criminal records and third-party verifications. These charges can be added to a background check report, so ask your vendor for a list of all access fees before ordering.
