What Do Background Checks Check?
For organizations seeking a new background screening provider, it’s crucial to understand “What do background checks check?” This knowledge helps ensure the service chosen is comprehensive, fast, affordable, and compliant with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and both state and local laws. This article aims to detail the components and significance of background checks, highlighting their role in making informed hiring decisions.
Importance of Background Checks for Employers
Background checks are essential for various reasons:
- Safety and Security: Implementing thorough background checks can decrease workplace violence incidents by up to 50%. This process helps identify individuals with a violent past before they enter the workplace, enhancing overall safety.
- Quality of Hire: Approximately 85% of employers report finding misrepresentations on a resume or job application during the screening process. Background checks ensure that the qualifications and history provided by applicants are accurate, leading to better hiring decisions.
- Reduced Turnover: Employers who conduct rigorous background checks report a lower turnover rate, as these checks help ensure candidates fit the role’s requirements and are likely to stay longer. This stability is crucial for maintaining team and operational cohesion.
How Background Checks Work
The process of conducting a background check is detailed and methodical:
- Consent and Collection: Initially, the employer obtains consent from the candidate to perform the background check, adhering to legal requirements such as the FCRA.
- Components of a Background Check:
- Social Security Trace: Confirms the candidate’s identity and tracks their address history.
- Criminal History: Searches national, state, and local databases for any criminal records, including felonies and misdemeanors.
- Employment Verification: Ensures the accuracy of the candidate’s work history and job titles.
- Education Verification: Checks the validity of degrees and certifications listed by the candidate.
- Motor Vehicle Records: Reviews the candidate’s driving history, particularly important for positions that require driving.
- Evaluation: The gathered data is analyzed, and a report is generated detailing any relevant findings that could impact the candidate’s suitability for the position.
Defining the Scope of a Background Check
The scope of a background check is typically defined based on the requirements of the position to be filled. This scope is not arbitrary but is strategically tailored to mitigate specific risks associated with different roles. For example:
- Financial Positions: May require a detailed credit history check to assess financial responsibility and integrity.
- Positions Involving Vulnerable Populations: Such as teachers or healthcare workers, may require a more rigorous check of criminal history and any records of abuse or neglect.
These tailored checks ensure that the screening process aligns with the level of responsibility and risk inherent in the position, highlighting that background checks are not one-size-fits-all but are deeply customized tools designed to protect and enhance the integrity of the organization.
Conclusion
To recap, “What do background checks check?”—they provide a critical overview of an applicant’s criminal history, work and education verification, identity confirmation, and other necessary checks based on the job’s requirements. Each background check is an integral tool customized to the specific needs of the position, designed to ensure the highest levels of safety and integrity in the workplace. Organizations seeking efficient, reliable, and compliant background screening services should consider EDIFY Background Screening. With our extensive experience and state-of-the-art technology, EDIFY Background Screening is well-equipped to provide thorough and efficient background investigations that meet your organizational needs affordably. For a trusted partner in your hiring process, look no further than EDIFY Background Screening.
