Data Facts Background Screening Blog

Keeping our clients updated about changing employment laws is at the top of our priority list. This article, originally posted by The Center Square, is an informative piece about the upcoming change in the use of criminal searches in hiring in Maine.

Employers in Maine will be prohibited from asking prospective job candidates about their previous criminal histories under a new law signed by Gov. Janet Mills.

The new law will ban companies from screening people with criminal backgrounds before those applicants have an opportunity to go through the preliminary hiring process.

Topics: Employment screening policy, background checks, Ban the Box, Employer use of criminal records, employment laws

On April 1, 2021, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey signed into law House Bill (H.B.) 2067. This amends Arizona Revised Statute (A.R.S.) Section 13-905 to allow the courts to issue an order for a “Certificate of Second Chance” for individuals “whose judgment of guilt is set aside” after a criminal conviction. H.B. 2067 allows individuals who receive a Certificate of Second Chance the opportunity to apply for and obtain occupational licenses in Arizona, and provides some additional protections to employers, among other provisions. The new law takes effect on August 27, 2021.

Topics: Employer hot topics, background checks, employer compliance, Arizona, Second Chance Law

Many articles and books tout the importance of company culture. These are on-point in that a positive culture fosters productivity and efficiency, and decreases low morale and employee turnover. A toxic or negative culture can dramatically increase employee exits and disengagement, both of which contribute to low productivity and lack of employee creativity.

Topics: background checks, company culture, remote workforce

When it comes to hiring the best employees possible, background checks are essential. However, employers must realize that many applicants have spent time in other countries. Failing to conduct background screening for those time periods could cause you to miss important information like criminal convictions. That’s why international background screening is more important than ever before.

Topics: Pre-employment screening, background screening company, background checks, international background screening

As we look at 2020 in the rearview mirror, our thoughts turn to the year ahead. New Years marks a fresh start and a chance to do things better than we did in years past.

HR professionals should take this time to think about their hiring process and how they can improve it. After all, with the vaccine on the horizon for everyone, 2021 is bound to shake things up in the workforce in a variety of ways.

Making sure you crush the hiring process, land A-players, and onboard them successfully is a top priority in 2021. Unfortunately, there may be actions you’re currently taking that work against you. Here are 6 background check mistakes that can derail your 2021 hiring success.

Topics: Pre-employment screening, background screening company, background screen, background checks, salary history question

Just like fashion, background screening changes every year. Some things that were in one year are out the other. While certain staples make up a background check, the way we use the information evolves.

Topics: background screening company, criminal records search, background checks, background screening practices, employer compliance, salary history ban

HR is responsible for many important actions regarding a company’s employees. One of the main risks to an organization is employing unsafe drivers. An employee who operates a vehicle as part of their job opens the business up to potential lawsuits and fines in several ways.

Topics: MVR, Motor Vehicle Records, Employer hot topics, background checks, driver screening, driver screening and monitoring process

There was a time when most people lived their entire lives in one or two area codes. That has changed dramatically. With the internet and easy travel, people are moving further away and more often. When you’re trying to hire the best job candidates, you may find they’ve spent significant time living, studying, or working in another country. Just ordering a background check on the current county or state they reside in now may miss something. How can you make sure their background check returns all the information you need to see?

Topics: criminal records search, background checks, international background screening, hiring process

Smart HR Professionals know that mediocre employees can, with time and coaching, sometimes become high performers. Unfortunately, the opposite is also true.

Topics: Employment screening policy, background checks, employer compliance, background check current employees

Running a background check on your potential employees is a smart, easy, cost-effective way to gain insight into their history, experience, and behaviors. Serious issues that may not be apparent on a person’s CV or in the interview may be uncovered with a simple criminal records search or employment verification.

Topics: Criminal records, background screen, background check, background checks, background screening practices, hiring process, choosing the best vendors