Reasons to Perform a Background Check

Background checks are conducted mostly for security and safety reasons. Their main use is for screening potential employees, but background checks can be performed for other reasons as well.

Function

Background checks are requested by companies hiring workers for high-security positions, those handling large sums of money on a daily basis, or those applying for a position of trust. Government agencies require background checks for many jobs.

Features

Background reports can range from a detailed account of a potential employee's personal associations to a verification of an applicant's Social Security number. They can include information on: Driving records, credit records, criminal record, educational records, court records, medical records, property ownership, military records, state licensing records, drug test records, past employers and personal references.

Ilegal Uses

People also use background checks for illegal purposes such as, unlawful employment discrimination, violation of privacy and identity theft.

Significance

There are many reasons why background checks are on the rise. Negligent hiring which can cause lawsuits, current events, child abuse and abductions, terrorist acts, corporate responsibility and false representations by job candidates are a few.

Who Regulates Background Checks

The Fair Credit and Reporting Act (FCRA) limits what can and cannot be investigated by an employer. However, this can only be applied to checks outside the company. A state may have stronger laws such as in California, where there is the California Investigative Consumer Reporting Agencies and Consumer Credit Reporting Agency. State labor laws also may help to regulate background checks.

References

• Privacy Rights Clearinghouse

Resources

• Background Check