New Hampshire to Reorganize Court System
April 7, 2011
News reports this week confirmed rumors that New Hampshire plans to reorganize their court system, eliminating approximately 60 court clerks. The money saving effort, will see many clerks dismissed or demoted. In their place, New Hampshire plans to adopt a “circuit court system” with the remaining clerks managing more courts. If passed by the legislature, the reorganization will go into effect on July 1, 2011. New Hampshire’s court system has not reported whether delays are expected as a result of the reorganization.
Read more here.
Photo credit: Zoom Zoom
People With Criminal Records “Need Not Apply”
March 23, 2011
Hopefully your company doesn’t have this kind of policy…
(Source: yubanet.com) According to the National Employment Law Project (NELP) more than one in four U.S. adults — roughly 65 million people –have an arrest or conviction that shows up in a routine criminal background check, and a new report from NELP finds that these Americans are facing unprecedented barriers to employment. With the rapidly expanding use of background checks, employers are routinely, and often illegally, excluding all job applicants who have criminal records from consideration, no matter how minor or dated their offenses.
The new report highlights the widespread and illegal use of blanket no-hire policies by providing numerous examples of online job ads posted on Craigslist, including some by major corporations, that effectively bar significant portions of the U.S. population from work opportunities. Because of their blunt impact and extreme overreach, these blanket no-hire policies have become the subject of increasing litigation, attracting heightened scrutiny from the courts and concerned policymakers. At the same time, 92 percent of employers conduct criminal background checks, according to a 2010 Society for Human Resources Management survey.
The NELP report, entitled “65 Million ‘Need Not Apply’: The Case for Reforming Criminal Background Checks for Employment,” surveys online job ads posted on Craigslist in five major cities—San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and Atlanta. The survey found numerous examples in which extreme requirements precluded consideration of anyone with a criminal record, in clear violation of federal civil rights law. Major companies, such as Domino’s Pizza, the Omni Hotel, and Adecco USA, were just some of the employers that listed entry-level jobs on Craigslist—ranging from warehouse workers to delivery drivers to sales clerks—that unambiguously shut the door on applicants with criminal records.
Read the rest of the article here.
Download the NELP report: “65 Million ‘Need Not Apply’: The Case for Reforming Criminal Background Checks for Employment” (PDF)
How Do You Become a Model Employer and Comply with the Law?
(Source: NELP’s guide to best practices for employers who conduct criminal background checks)
Step 1
Identify positions that require a background check under state or federal law, or that require a background check due to the sensitivity of the job. You are not required by law to perform a background check for most positions.
Step 2
Do not request criminal history information on the initial job application. Inquire into an individual’s criminal history only after the applicant has been selected as a final candidate.
Many cities, states, and even some federal agencies delay background checks because “it is generally more practical and cost-effective.” (U.S. Office of Personnel Management Regulations.)
Step 3
If you conduct a background check, be sure to comply with the legal requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
First, give notice to the applicant and get the worker’s consent. If the background report includes criminal history information, provide a copy to the applicant and allow the applicant to contest or explain the information included before making an employment decision.
See the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.) and the Federal Trade Commission (www.ftc.gov) for your obligations. Your state may have additional requirements.
Step 4
Consider only job-related and recent convictions when making an employment decision. Consideration of arrest information likely violates federal civil rights law and may violate state law.
See the EEOC Policy Guidance on the Consideration of Arrest Records (www.eeoc.gov/policy/docs/arrest_records.html).
Step 5
Be sure to comply with the legal requirements of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e).
Deny employment only if the conviction is job-related and doing so is consistent with “business necessity.”
Be sure to consider the following factors:
1. The nature or gravity of the offense or offenses;
2. The bearing, if any, of the offense(s) on any specific responsibilities of the job or position;
3. The time that has elapsed since the offense;
4. The age of the applicant or employee at the time of the offense;
5. Any evidence of rehabilitation.
See the EEOC Policy Statement on the Issue of Conviction Records (www.eeoc.gov/policy/docs/convict1.html).
Step 6
Let the community know that you are a model employer committed to considering all qualified candidates and building a diverse workforce.
Reach out to the local Chambers of Commerce, Workforce Investment Boards and other local partners to publicize your model practices.
Download NELP’s guide to best practices for employers who conduct criminal background checks (PDF).
Photo credits: Cosima’s Digital Designs, Zoom Zoom
Is It Legal For An Employer To Charge A Potential Employee For A Background Check?
March 16, 2011
I recently checked out Quora which is getting a lot of buzz lately (with mixed reviews). What is Quora you ask? The best way to describe it is it’s a Q&A social networking site. I’m not sure if Quora is going to be social media’s newest “it” platform, but I did find some questions on employee background screening that you might find helpful.
Here’s one question that I recently answered:
Q - Is it legal for an employer to charge a potential employee for a background check? If a business requires employees to be screened for past criminal behavior, is it acceptable to charge potential employees for the cost of the screening?
A- There is no federal law that prohibits employers charging a potential employee for a background check but the following states (and Washington, DC) have laws that limit this practice:
- California, Minnesota, Washington,DC - the employee cannot be required to pay for a background check as a condition of employment.
- Vermont - limits an employer charging a potential employee for a background check if they are using specific sources.
- Kansas - employers can’t require potential employees to obtain their own records and give them to the employer.
What questions do you have about background checks?
Photo credit: Valerie Everett
Survey Results: Background Checks On Job Candidates
September 16, 2010
Why do employers conduct background checks?
Which positions require a background check?
What information in a candidate’s background report could have an adverse effect on the decision to hire?
In November 2009, SHRM conducted a comprehensive survey that looked at background checking on job candidates. The survey explored the primary reasons organizations conduct background checks, the categories of job candidates that are checked and other related topics. Here is the survey in case you missed it when it came out.SHRM Background Check Survey
FYI Screening On Twitter
August 19, 2010
Having trouble keeping up with all there is to know about employee background screening?
We can help.
FYI Screening stays on top of the latest industry news, trends and relevant compliance issues.
We are a powerful source of advice, information, and experience.
One of the best ways to tap into our vast source of information is to follow us on Twitter.
Here is a sampling of tweets from the past two weeks:
- Ohio bill going too far to protect ex-convicts? Police would have to seal files, media delete old stories http://bit.ly/91Zoe9 #in #hr
- Employee Background Screening News: Former felons feel boxed in by crime question http://bit.ly/bIJ39E
- #Privacy Alert: 60% of Americans don’t know copiers store images on hard drives http://bit.ly/b9QWoR (watch the video)
- Excellent tips on what employers can do to help prevent workplace violence http://bit.ly/cP0T6k
- Investigation: Could background check have prevented alleged rape? http://bit.ly/b8SAqX
- MA employers need to review their background check policies to comply with new state law http://bit.ly/bJ9gRW (PDF via Ogletree, Deakins)
- Job applicants: How to prepare for a background check http://bit.ly/bNyutR #jobs
- Cash-strapped Indiana nixes nurse background check program http://bit.ly/asR7cs
- IL joins other states in making it illegal for employers to use credit histories to evaluate job seekers http://bit.ly/dwT9kn #hr #in #jobs
- Governor Signs CORI Reform Prohibiting MA Employers from Inquiring About Criminal Convictions on “Initial” Applications http://bit.ly/bX6TOL
- Background check news: NYC lawsuit: Census Bureau discriminated in hiring http://bit.ly/a3wmXu #hr #emplaw
What are you waiting for? Follow us on Twitter now!
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The Best Of FYI Screening 2009
December 30, 2009
2009 was a year that social media surged and the use of social networks for employee background screening was frequently debated. We saw resume fraud, diploma mills and fake employment websites flourish. During this time we’ve used our blog to keep you informed of these trends, best practices and legal compliance issues. Look to FYI Screening for more of this in 2010.
Below you’ll find our most widely-read posts of the year:
- The Importance Of Post-Hire Background Checks
- 4 Tips On How To Use Social Networks For Employee Screening
- The Dangers of Using Social Networks for Employee Screening
- Diploma Mills: Degrees of Deception
- 5 Legal Reasons Why Your Company Should Have a Social Networking Policy
- The Other Background Check: What Does Google Have To Say About You?
- Resume Fraud A Growing Concern
- Twitter and Employment Law Issues
- Job Applicants Are More Likely To Lie As The Recession Grows
- The Pitfalls Of Using Social Networking To Screen Potential Employees
Happy New Year!
Photo credit: berk2804
How To Protect Your Company When Googling Job Applicants
November 12, 2009
Earlier this week I wrote how 100% Of Companies Will Be Using Social Networks As Part Of Their Employee Screening Program By 2012.
Jon Hyman from the Ohio Employer’s Law Blog read this post and offers some advice on how employers can protect themselves when they use social networks to screen applicants.
- Read Googling job applicants from the Ohio Employer’s Law Blog.
100% Of Companies Will Be Using Social Networks As Part Of Their Employee Screening Program By 2012
November 9, 2009
Dan Schawbel, a personal branding expert, gives his 10 Personal Branding Predictions for 2010. The one that caught my attention was number ten:
10) Online identities becoming as routine as employer drug tests
In 2009, Careerbuilder reported that 45% of companies are using social networks as background checks. I’m going to go with 75% of companies for 2010 and then 100% of companies in 2012. Just like a drug test, going online to review an applicants brand is easy, cost effective and can save headaches later. There are issues that arise such as possibly losing good talent because of one Facebook picture or judging someone based on their picture and not on their credibility.
What this means for your personal brand: Everyone is going to have to be very careful with what they put online. Go through your online presence right now to make sure it best represents you as a professional. Try and see your profiles through a companies eyes too.
The topic of using social networks for background checks has been controversial because of the possible legal exposure but I’m going to have to agree with Dan here…
100% of companies will be using social networks as part of their employee screening program by 2012.
It is important it note that these social searches will not replace traditional background checks (county criminal searches, verification of driving records, education and employment) but will be an increasingly important tool to help companies find the best fit employees for their organizations.
Read Dan’s 10 Personal Branding Predictions for 2010.
Related Posts From FYI Screening:
No Background Check? No Problem - Cracking Down On The Gun Show Loophole
November 2, 2009
The man in the baseball-type cap was clear about his task. He was selling weapons at a gun show in Sharonville, Ohio. And he wasn’t troubled about the minutiae of the law.
“I don’t need your address,” he said, shaking his head and waving a dismissive hand across his face. “Nothing.”
“No background check?” asks a skeptical potential buyer.
“Just show me that you’re from Ohio,” the seller said.
The buyer sounded relieved. “That’s good about the background check,” he said, “because I probably couldn’t pass one.”
“I don’t care,” the seller said. Then, with a chuckle and a toothy smile, he added, “because I wouldn’t pass either, bud.”
Undercover investigators for the New York City mayor’s office secretly filmed this transaction earlier this year as part of a seven-city and three-state study on how easy it is for people who can’t pass a background check to get a gun. Just attend one of the thousands of local guns shows held every weekend across America. Odds are that if the money is green, the dealer will sell a gun. In most cases, no questions are asked.
Read the rest of the story here.
Florida Lawmakers Pledge Changes To Their Background Screening Program
October 5, 2009
Last week we reported about Florida’s Flawed Background Screening System and now Florida lawmakers are talking about making changes to the state system.
Laxness, Loopholes In Background Checks Of Child And Elder Care Workers
Source: South Florida Sun Sentinel
Florida legislators pledged to overhaul state law to require that caregivers for children and the elderly undergo background checks before they begin work and to close loopholes that have let thousands of felons get jobs in day care and nursing homes.
The proposed reforms come after a Sun Sentinel investigative series last week identified disturbing flaws in the background screening system that allow people to work with Florida’s most vulnerable residents before the caregivers have been vetted.
Even people with criminal pasts can qualify for jobs as caregivers by obtaining an exemption. Thousands have sought and won official permission to work despite having records for crimes including rape, child abuse and murder, the newspaper found.
“What you have discovered is something the Legislature needs to get more serious about and get on top of immediately,” state Rep. Ari Porth, D-Coral Springs, told the Sun Sentinel. A state prosecutor, Porth is drafting legislation to require pre-employment checks and put restrictions on who can get exemptions.
George Sheldon, secretary of Florida’s Department of Children & Families, called reforming the system “a legislative priority for a number of agencies.”
“It just makes sense that the public is assured that those people who are dealing with the most vulnerable have been closely screened,” Sheldon said.
As a result of the Sun Sentinel investigation, Sheldon wrote a four-page letter Thursday to state legislators outlining his plan for a “faster, more efficient system to protect our vulnerable citizens.”
Read more here.
FYI Screening offers a wide array of customized background screening solutions to meet any need. Human Resources and Loss Prevention Professionals in numerous industries worldwide trust FYI’s screening solutions every day to make smarter, safer and more cost effective hiring decisions.
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