Background Check News

Over the past couple months the background screening industry has been buzzing about the new EEOC Strategic Plan which has placed employers on alert that they better have sound policies on the use of criminal records to deny employment.   The intent is that employers use of criminal background checks is disenfranchising too many people and there should be limits on the use of criminal records.

I have preached for so long about the dangers of cheap background checks that I feel like I am at times saying the same thing over and over again.  Yes, I realize it has pinched a nerve with some sex offenders and others who are sensitive to ex-offenders based on some of the comments I have received.  But I am not sure it resonates with organizations trying to keep children safe.

How many of you have heard of sextortion?  I have to admit it was a new term for me.

I wrote an article a little over a week ago on how far back should background checks go and have been surprised at the number of LinkedIn comments asserting that the past is irrelevant.  The comments have gone back and forth like a tennis match. 

This really is the million dollar question.  It is a lot like the presidential primary debates.  The answer is dependent on who you ask. 

Do you remember a time when most employee background check lawsuits were because an organization did not conduct a background check?  And the employee did something harmful. 

If you have been reading my articles for a while then you have heard me rant and rave about cheap background checks.  They are prevalent in our industry, quite frankly, because most background screening firms are focused on profit instead of safety.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently announced their 2012-2016 strategic plan to focus more on “systematic litigation”.     The plan passed by a 4-1 vote with the lone dissenter voicing concerns with the heavy focus on litigation instead of education and outreach. 

Now understand we are talking about automated quality background checks not instant.  Don’t confuse the two.  There is no such thing as an instant background check (I know, an internet search says otherwise but the screening companies are not being honest).

Over the past few weeks I have been asked several times if law enforcement officers should be exempt from volunteer background checks.  The quick and easy answer is nobody should be exempt from a criminal background check policy.