We know you have a lot to do during this busy time of year, but we want to give you an important year-end reminder: please review your background screening policy. 

In this issue we cover the following background screening topics:

1. The Importance of a Background Screening Policy
2. Four Ways to Maintain FCRA Compliance
3. New Name: Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA)

Are you following us on Twitter? It's a great way to get the latest updates on background screening news, trends and compliance issues.

Thank you for your business, and here's to another successful year!

Warm regards,
Chris Miller
President

 

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All background screening programs should include a written policy and procedure. Having a proper background screening policy will set the tone for your company philosophy and provide critical guidance to your organization on how background checks should be performed. That guidance will not only serve to protect the organization by establishing a standardized and efficient hiring  process, it will ultimately mitigate risk, avoid litigation, and reduce  the  operating  costs  of  the organization.  

Tips on how to review your current background screening policy: 

• When was the last time you updated it? 
• Does it need improvement? 
• Is it in a place where those executing your background screening program can access it? 
• Do they understand the policy? 
• Make sure it continues to address which individuals need to be screened, the screening criteria that should be used and the information on a background check that is or is not acceptable. 
• Make sure that all required forms are checked periodically to ensure they continue to comply with ever-changing background screening laws.
• Sit down with the team who is responsible for the background screening process and make sure that the policy is being properly executed. 

Don't have a written background screening policy? Here is a sample background screening policy (this sample with attachments can also be found on your online dashboard under "docs and forms").

This is a template which should be modified for your organization and reviewed with your legal counsel and human resource advisers. A compliant background screening policy will protect your company, employees, and customers from potential problems.

2. Four Ways to Maintain FCRA Compliance 

There are four basic compliance requirements employers must follow when screening applicants and employees:

1. Employers must provide a disclosure and obtain written authorization from an individual before performing a background check on him/her.
2. Disclosure and authorization must not be incorporated into the employment application, so that it’s clearly disclosed that the applicant is consenting to a consumer report for employment purposes.
3. Employers must provide applicants with a copy of the FTC’s document, “A Summary of Your Rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act”.
4. Employers must use a two-step process to notify applicants before and when an adverse employment decision is made based in whole or in part on the background check.