01.07.08
Performing Background Checks
For many businesses, performing background checks — particularly criminal background checks — are an important part of the hiring process. Unfortunately, for small business owners its not always easy to do. The “who” and the “how” often are the biggest questions asked. So, knowing you should do them and why they are important, where do you start? Here are a few suggestions:
Legality. State and federal law dictates alot of what a potential employer can and can not access regarding an individual. Therefore, it is important to work with a vendor who can advise you on what tests are most appropriate for each circumstance, and what can be revealed to whom. Additionally, take a few minutes to research what your state laws are regarding this topic.
Vendors. The market has been flooded with background check vendors in the past several years. In this area, you’d do well to stick with a vendor that is reputable and well-known. Do your homework and shop around. A few of the more well known ones to start with include Sterling Testing, Acxiom, ADP, First Advantage, and Kroll.
Scope. As many people tend to migrate, moving from location to location, it is important that you run a background check not just on a local basis, but state and national level as well. You can often find out where the individual has lived in the past from their application. Start there. County reports tend to be the most reliable, but run all three if you can afford to do so, particularly if they’ve moved.
