Data Facts Background Screening Blog

Data Facts periodically shares insights from other publications that are relevant to our audience. This article was written by Sharlyn Lauby of #HRBartender and first appeared on HR Bartender.

I knew that today’s title will get your attention. I’ve been waiting for someone to send me this question! I’m sure this reader’s note will resonate with many: 

I have a question regarding social media. Last year, we came across a candidate who had a number of recent social media posts expressing racially charged views. We decided not to move this candidate along in the selection process as these posts didn’t reflect our company’s values. Our thought process was:
1) They’re a reflection of our brand and we don’t want to be associated with those views and,
2) Those views probably wouldn’t be good for employee morale. 
Were we wrong to use social media in this way? Is there a legal issue with making decisions like this in the future? Would appreciate your insight!

“A recent survey by CareerBuilder found that 44% of businesses are looking to hire full-time employees and 51% are planning to hire temporary employees. But 45% of those surveyed said they are unable to fill the much-needed positions due to the lack of qualified talent.”

The booming economy is creating many jobs. The older Boomers are leaving positions that are difficult to fill. These scenarios, coupled with the fact that the unemployment rate is hovering around 4%, the fight for high-performing employees might feel a bit like The Hunger Games. High-quality candidates are probably measuring your company and its offerings against multiple other organizations.

Their decisions could well be determined by how they are treated during the recruiting and interviewing process.

With record low unemployment, finding, recruiting, and keeping high performing employees in your organization will be more challenging in 2019 than in the recent past. Even so, it’s entirely possible to be productive and successful in your hiring endeavors. It just takes planning and commitment.

Here are 7 smart resolutions relating to background check processes that are essential for HR to consider in 2019 and beyond.

The way organizations recruit, interview, and choose new employees is changing in a variety of ways. What were once commonplace practices are now being phased out in favor of new processes that are less discriminatory and equal for everyone.

Effective June 6, 2018, Washington will be the next state to implement “ban the box” legislation, which restricts employers from executing a criminal background check on the job applicant during the initial stages of the application process.

Remember when you just placed a want ad in the newspaper when you needed to hire someone?

Seasoned HR professionals have experienced a myriad of changes in hiring over the last decade, and new HR pros probably wouldn’t even recognize how we did it “back in the day.”

The changes keep coming!

Savvy HR professionals understand that, in business, every road eventually leads back to the all-important bottom line. While there are other tasks and initiatives that require attention, each and every employee should ultimately focus on holding and increasing company revenue and profit.

Operating with any other goal will take you off course quickly, wasting company time and money.

Background screening practices are an integral part of savvy talent management. Companies with comprehensive, consistent background check plans are more likely to eliminate potential employees who would pose risk to the workplace. Background screening helps bring to light false qualification claims and unsavory activities that would be detrimental to a business.