January is a great time for a lot of things.
Quitting smoking.
Starting a gym membership.
Cleaning out your filing cabinet (guess what I’m doing).
Reviewing your background check policies (sound of record scratching).
What are background check policies?
Organizations that wish to keep employees and customers safe and avoid negligent hiring claims perform background checks.
Background check policies are created for consistency and ease during the hiring process. Your screening firm likely has examples for you to discuss when determining what best meets your needs.
What should be included?
- What screens (driving record, employment verification, etc.) are typically run for this particular job?
- At what point in the hiring process is the background check run? Best practices usually dictate after the offer has been made.
- What information and paperwork are required before running a background check?
- What criteria disqualifies an applicant from working for the organization? Are the criteria discriminatory or does it follow federal, state and local laws?
- Has the applicant been informed that there will be a background check and the outcome may affect the hiring decision? If the outcome is negative, what happens?
Clues your policy is outdated:
- Your application asks if the applicant was convicted of a crime, and you live in an area that has banned that question
- It may be known as the Fair Chance Initiative, or Second Chance Initiative in your area—commonly known as Ban the Box.
- Have you considered revised cannabis laws (recreational and medicinal use) in your region?
- If you have the perfect applicant, but current policy prohibits you from hiring them.
How to stay compliant and up-to-date:
- Participate in meetings with your local human resource association (PIHRA, TC SHRM, NM HRMA, SHRM to name a few).
- Talk to your professional background screeners and attorneys.
- Reevaluate old policies and be sure they do everything you think they should!
What am I reading or listening to? We are just moving into the work-a-day world after the holidays. I can recommend Elizabeth Strout’s “Tell Me Everything,” a page-turner of a novel. Sometimes it is all about work/life balance.
Do you have recommendations for books or podcasts? Let me know!
Where I’ll be in January: In January I’ll be close to home, reviewing proposals for presentations at the Professional Background Screener Association’s Spring Conference. I love this volunteer work and getting a preview of the upcoming event!
In February, though, I will be sponsoring TCSHRM February Virtual Legal Program – Minnesota HR & Employment Law Updates
Questions about any of the above? Call me at (833) 424-3257 or (612) 743-0240
For further updates, email Ann@CEBackgroundchecks.com
