The criminal history check is one component of employment background checks. Human resources will review the criminal history check and any additional information the applicant provides. They will evaluate each conviction to determine whether or not it should automatically disqualify an applicant. Relevant considerations may include the nature of convictions, the date, and relation to the position being sought. Further, they may consider the applicant’s educational background or past employers. However, it is essential to note that the results of criminal history checks are not always reliable.
Criminal convictions
Many employers believe that criminal convictions will raise the risk of workplace crime and expose them to a negligent hiring claim. This is not necessarily true, however. The National Employment Law Project estimates that 65 million adults in the U.S. have a criminal record, which makes one in four adults in the country. Nevertheless, it is crucial to consider the potential legal repercussions of hiring someone with a criminal record.
For example, if an employment background check shows a person’s criminal history, they may have a legal right to ask the agency to correct the record. However, you should be aware that these records may not be entirely accurate, and you can only seek compensation if the agency can provide an accurate report. Further, the Fair Credit Reporting Act only applies to inaccurate reports, so you can’t file a lawsuit if your prospective employer rejects you for a criminal conviction.
Past employers
Employment background checks can reveal past employers. You may be surprised that up to 46 percent of the population has lied on their resume. According to a survey from a background screening company, the most common dishonesty concerns previous employers and job duties. Be prepared for questions about past employers and employment history during your interview. You can also request copies of your records and personnel files. But, do you want to know what these reports reveal?
While federal law does not restrict the disclosure of past employer information, many states have laws that limit it. To avoid violating these laws, you should only request information you can legally use to make a hiring decision. To ensure your legal standing, consult with legal counsel before requesting information from past employers. You should request only information that will help you make an informed hiring decision. Regardless of the legality of the process, you should never reveal too much personal information about yourself or your past employers.
Education
The education section of an employment background check is similar to a listing of previous employers. It compares the information on the resume to information on the applicant’s school records. Schools list the applicant’s name, address, telephone number, dates of attendance, major, degree, and whether or not the candidate graduated. If possible, an employer can request a certified transcript from a school to verify the candidate’s educational history.
The CRA has many ways to obtain such information, including national and state databases. Some of these databases include a search of the sex offender database, which contains records on more than 500,000 sex offenders. Other background checks include an education verification check, which will verify whether a person’s degree, certificate, or diploma has been verified. These reports are billed to the department that ordered the review.
Reference checks
There are several ways to conduct reference checks. Some are more efficient than others. Mail/email reference checks require the candidate to answer a questionnaire, but they are challenging to conduct back-and-forth. In-person meetings are more expensive and challenging to coordinate. Telephone calls are the most efficient option, allowing for back-and-forth conversation while remaining inexpensive. In the end, reference checks will tell you what employment background checks reveal about the candidate.
A criminal record check may not show violent physical behavior, but a reference check will. Past employers who fired the candidate will likely reveal this information. Employers should avoid hiring a candidate who has a history of bad behavior. Reference checks are an essential step in hiring a new employee. They help ensure the accuracy of the information. But how do they work? It all depends on the kind of background check you conduct.
Limits on how far back a background check can go
Although federal law does not restrict the information that an employment background check can look up, state laws do. Limits on how far back a background check can depend on the type of background check performed and the state and party in question. Ban-the-box laws in some states also limit the data that an employment background check can look up. It is essential to check the laws in your state before you make a hiring decision.
The period that an employment background check can go back will depend on the nature of the crime committed. A criminal history report can be available for seven years in some states. In other states, the reporting period may be seven years or more. However, misdemeanors may have different reporting periods. Further background checks are not restricted by lookback periods and can cover a candidate’s life.
Negligent hiring lawsuits
Recent statistics show that 75% of negligent hiring lawsuits result in losses for employers. These cases reveal that employers can end up paying out millions of dollars. The average settlement for negligent hiring lawsuits is $1 million. According to these numbers, employers who don’t do an employment background check often find out that candidates were lying on job applications or resumes. The legal concept behind negligent hiring is that employers have a responsibility to do a reasonable job in choosing an employee. This includes investigating the applicant’s background, work history, character, and qualifications before hiring them.
A recent Denver hospital’s negligence lawsuit revealed that a surgical technologist had been fired from four previous positions because of his criminal past. He was also found guilty of fentanyl theft and tested positive for the blood-borne disease. All of this could have been revealed to the hospital’s supervisors by an employment background check. This case could have prevented the hospital from wasting precious resources hiring the technician.
