EmployeeScreenIQ

While conventional background checks are now a part of almost any hiring process, employers are finding it easier to use social networking Web sites and other Internet resources to find out information about potential employers.

As employment rates across the country are the lowest they've been in 16 years, employers are finding themselves inundated with resumes and inquiries. While scouring a job seeker's personal Web sites or Googling an applicant's name may seem like the easy way out, it's not always the moral decision to make, and you may find information you didn't want to know.

"With the proliferation of social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace, employers are becoming more aware of the information obtainable via the Internet about their employees and job applicants," Ron Brand, a partner with Fisher & Phillips, said in an article by Aspen Publishers Technical Answer Group. "These indiscretions are made permanent in cyberspace for all to see, including prospective employers.

"However, in looking up information on the Internet, employers need to be aware of potential claims against them, such as federal and state discrimination and invasion of privacy claims," Brand added.

While no law prohibits employers from searching social networking sites to conduct their own background checks of current or potential employees, doing so could result in federal and state discrimination claims, as well as invasion of privacy claims.

For instance, if an employer finds information on MySpace that identifies an applicant's disability or medical condition, the employer could face a discrimination lawsuit if a decision not to hire that applicant is made based on that information.

Also, an employer can terminate an employee or refuse to hire an applicant based on information found online as long as that information is not used in a discriminatory manner. This means job seekers should be careful about what they put on their social networking profiles when preparing for a background check.

Labels: Background checks

Whether you're a job seeker or a business owner, chances are you're going to have to deal with background checks in one way or another.

From the business standpoint, background checks will save you from being targeted for negligent hiring lawsuits and help you discover any false information a potential employee offers in a resume or interview. From the job seeker standpoint, background checks allow you to prove yourself to your potential employers.

Background checks can vary from checking your social security number and employment history to checking various other records, according to an article by Privacy Rights Clearinghouse. The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act dictates what is and what is not allowed to be included in a background checks.

Items that can be included in a background check include:

• driving records
• bankruptcy
• property ownership
• past employers
• vehicle registration
• education records
• character references
• military records
• personal references
• credit cards
• court records
• neighbor interviews
• state licensing records
• incarceration records
• criminal records
• workers' compensation
• medical records
• drug test records
• sex offender lists

Some information that cannot be reported under the FCRA includes:

• bankruptcies after 10 years
• civil suits, civil judgments and records of arrest after seven years
• paid tax liens after seven years
• accounts placed for collection after seven years
• other negative information, except criminal convictions, after seven years

Overall, background checks are an important part of the hiring process for both employers and employees. They help employers feel confident in their hiring decisions, and if the employee has nothing to hide, they should be confident about the outcome.

Labels: Background check

If you're searching for a job, chances are you'll have to undergo a background check at some point. Visit http://employeescreen.com to learn more.

It has become commonplace for most employers to complete a background check on any potential employee. Background checks help employers validate the information a candidate gives them on a resume or during an interview.

If you're in the market for a job, according to Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, there are some steps you can take to make sure your background check will come out clean.

• Order a copy of your credit report. Many employers take your credit check as a serious indicator of responsibility. If there's something on it you don't recognize or you disagree with, dispute the information with the creditor or credit bureau. This also is a good way to make sure you haven't been the victim of identity theft.
• Check court records. If you have an arrest record or have been involved in court cases, inspect those files to make sure the information is correct and up-to-date.
• Check DMV records. Request a copy of your driving record from the Department of Motor Vehicles, especially if you are applying for a job that involves driving.
• Complete your own background check. If you want to see what an employer's background check will reveal, hire a company that specializes in such reports to conduct one for you.
• Ask to see a copy of your personnel file from your old jobs. Even if you do not work there anymore, state law might enable you to see your file.
• Read the fine print carefully. When you sign a job application, you will be asked to sign a consent form if a background check is conducted. Read this statement carefully and ask questions if the authorization statement is not clear.
• Tell neighbors and work colleagues they might be asked to provide information about you. This helps avoid suspicion and alerts you to possible problems.
• Clean up your "digital dirt." This includes conducting a search of your name on major Web browsers, such as Google and Yahoo. If you find unflattering references, contact the Web site to see if and how you can remove them. You also should review your MySpace and Facebook profiles.
• Request previous background check reports. If you have been the subject of a background check covered by the FCRA, you may be entitled to receive a copy of your "file" from the employment screening company.

Labels: Background check

If you're an employer conducting a background check, or an employee applying for jobs, you should know that a candidate's credit report is often an important part of the process.

Background checks often include copies of the applicant's credit reports. Three major credit reporting agencies - Experian, TransUnion and Equifax - provide a modified version of the credit report called an employment report. An employment report includes information about a candidate's credit payment history and other credit habits, according to an article by Privacy Rights Clearinghouse.

An employment report usually offers the same information as a credit report, only it doesn't include your credit score or date of birth. It also does not require an inquiry of your credit file, which is good since having too many credit inquiries can actually lower your credit score.

Credit reports also can include other information, such as your former address and previous employers. A potential employer can use this information as a way to verify the information a candidate gives them on an application or resume.

Many job seekers wonder why their personal credit information is even available to employers, let alone pertinent to the job search. In most cases, it's not as though an employer is looking for judge a candidate solely based on their good or bad credit habits. However, whether you have good or bad credit habits may say something about your character and level of responsibility.

"Often employers use your credit history to gauge your level of responsibility," the article notes. "Whether a valid assumption or not, some employers believe if you are not reliable in paying your bills, then you will not be a reliable employee. Unfortunately, a bad credit report can work against you in your search for employment."

There are some people who don't have any credit whatsoever, which can also come back to haunt you during a job search as well, particularly if the potential employer feels the ability to pay bills on time and maintain good credit is a sign of responsibility. Since background checks today are imminent, candidates might as well build up their credit to the best of their ability.

Labels: Background checks