Getting your hiring practices in order for the New Year
- 1/3/2016
- Kevin Rosenquist
When a new year begins most of us vow to make changes; our
New Years’ resolutions to get back on track or go after that dream we’ve been
thinking about possibly considering chasing for the past few years. Many of us
come back to work on January 2nd ready to make some professional
changes as well. Perhaps yours is to take a look at your hiring process and
ensure everything is being done correctly and efficiently. Anyone out there
fall into this category? Anyone? Bueller?
In case you are looking at your hiring process as part of
your professional New Years’ resolution here are a few background screening tips
for HR professionals and business owners.
Paperwork
Are your applicant authorization and disclosure forms up to
date and in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act? Not sure? Have them
reviewed by your counsel or your screening provider. (Pro Tip: Screening
providers are generally cheaper than lawyers. You’re welcome.)
Are your applicants filling out the forms completely? Are
your managers or HR staff members giving the proper paperwork to the applicants
and getting them back filled out completely and correctly? Do they understand
the screening process? It’s one thing to know the process required in screening
but it’s another to understand the reasons and policies behind the process.
Managers who understand the screening process and FCRA requirements are more
likely to not make mistakes than someone who is simply checking a box off.
Maybe 2017 is a good time to have your screening provider give a phone or in
person training session for your staff. We offer that free of charge. Check
with your provider and see if they offer that as well.
Services
Are there things you need to be screening for but aren’t?
Are you screening for things you don’t need? Many screening companies sign
people up for standard packages. If you need to screen for things you aren’t
getting or if you are screening for things you don’t need then it’s time to
contact your screening provider to see about getting customized packages. There
is no need to pay for searches you no longer want or need.
Ban the Box Laws
It’s very important to be up to date with your state’s Ban
the Box laws. If you aren’t familiar with the movement, Ban the Box hopes to
completely wipe out the question on an applicant “Have you ever been convicted
of a crime?” Check out http://www.nelp.org/publication/ban-the-box-fair-chance-hiring-state-and-local-guide/
for a listing of states who have adopted the law. We encourage everyone to take
that question off their applicants as the trend seems to be heading towards
making it a federal law. But for now, keep up on what your state is doing.
We
will continue to keep you up to date on news and changes to screening laws. So
stay tuned to our blog for continued updates. Happy New Year, everyone!
