A background check or background investigation is the process of looking up and compiling criminal records, commercial records and financial records (in certain instances such as employment screening) of an individual.
Background checks are often requested by employers on job candidates, especially on candidates seeking a position that requires high security or a position of trust, such as in a school, hospital, financial institution, airport, and government (including law enforcement and military). These checks are traditionally administered by a government agency for a nominal fee, but can also be administered by private companies. Results of a background check typically include past employment verification, credit score, and criminal history.
These checks are often used by employers as a means of objectively evaluating a job candidate’s qualifications and to identify potential hiring risks.
Employment References
Education Verification – School grades, degree and any professional qualifications obtained
Character Reference Check
Gaps in employment history
Identity and Address Verification – whether the applicant is who he or she claims to be. Generally includes verification of the applicant’s present and previous addresses. Can include a money laundering, identity and terrorist check and one to verify the validity of passports.
Whether an applicant holds a directorship
Credit History – bankruptcies
Criminal History Report
The amount of information included on a background check depends to a large degree on the sensitivity of the reason for which it is conducted—e.g., somebody seeking employment at a minimum wage job would be subject to far fewer requirements than somebody applying to work for the FBI.
Criminal and incarceration records
There are several types of criminal record searches available to employers, some more accurate and up to date than others. Many websites offer the “instant” background check, which will search a compilation of databases containing public information for a fee. There are also other database-type criminal searches, such as statewide repositories and the national crime file. A commonly used criminal search by employers who outsource is the county criminal search.
Citizenship, immigration, or legal working status
The hiring of illegal workers has become an issue for American businesses since the forming of the Department of Homeland Security and its Immigrations and Customs Enforcement(ICE) division. Many history making immigration raids over the past two years have forced employers to consider including legal working status as part of their background screening process. All employers are required to keep government Form I-9 documents on all employees and some states mandate the use of the federal E-verify program to research the working status of Social Security numbers. With increased concern for right-to-work issues, many outsourcing companies are sprouting in the marketplace to help automate and store Form I-9 documentation. Some jobs are only available to citizens who are residents of that country due to security concerns.
Litigation records
Employers may want to identify potential employees who routinely file discrimination lawsuits. It has also been alleged that in the U.S., employers that do work for the government do not like to hire whistleblowers who have a history of filing qui tam suits.
Driving and vehicle records
Employers that routinely hire drivers or are in the transportation sector seek drivers with clean driving records–i.e., those without a history of accidents or traffic tickets. Department of Motor Vehicles and Department of Transportation records are searched to determine a qualified driver.
Drug tests
Drug tests are used for a variety of reasons–corporate ethics, measuring potential employee performance, and keeping workers’ compensation premiums down.
Education records
These are used primarily to see if the potential employee had graduated from high school (or a GED) or received an college degree, graduate degree, or some other accredited university degree. There are reports of SAT scores being requested by employers as well.
Employment records
These usually range from simple verbal confirmations of past employment and timeframe to deeper, such as discussions about performance, activities and accomplishments, and relations with others.
Financial information
Credit scores, liens, civil judgments, or bankruptcy may be included in the report.
Licensing records
A government authority that has some oversight over professional conduct of its licensees will also maintain records regarding the licensee, such as personal information, education, complaints, investigations, and disciplinary actions.
Medical, Mental, and Physiological evaluation and records
These records are generally not available to consumer reporting agencies, background screening firms, or any other investigators without documented, written consent of the applicant, consumer or employee.
Military records
Although not as common today as it was in the past fifty years, employers frequently requested the specifics of one’s military discharge.
Social Security Number
(or equivalent outside the US). A fraudulent SSN may be indicative of identity theft, insufficient citizenship, or concealment of a “past life”. Background screening firms usually perform a Social Security trace to determine where the applicant or employee has lived.
Travel records
Jobs that require a security clearance may require the applicant to disclose their past and future international travel plans.
Other interpersonal interviews
Employers may investigate past employment to verify position and salary information. More intensive checks can involve interviews with anybody that knew or previously knew the applicant–such as teachers, friends, coworkers, neighbors, and family members; however, extensive hearsay investigations in background checks can expose companies to lawsuits. Past employment and personal reference verifications are moving toward standardization with most companies in order to avoid expensive litigation.
Contact me today for a free consultation. I can help you determine if a background check investigation is suitable for you and develop a custom plan to meet your needs.