Keeping up with state regulations and background screening industry trends can be a daunting process for employers and HR professionals. While changes in laws may implement protections for those who are seeking work, employers must also be mindful of how they conduct hiring and screening processes to prevent discrimination and negligent hiring.
Here are some hiring trends and background check information employers need to know for this year.
Ban the Box
The Ban the Box policy was instituted to encourage employers to consider an applicant’s qualifications rather than take the chance of being prejudiced by his or her criminal history. The Ban the Box policy removes the question of criminal history from the employment applications, so all candidates have a fair chance at employment. To date, more than half the states in the U.S. have adopted the new law. California has put it into practice as of the first of this year, and other states are likely to follow this progress toward adoption nationwide.
Limited use of Credit Reports
Cities and states are battling laws to limit credit reports as consideration for employment arguing these prejudice the employer and are thus discriminatory. The caveat exists for applicants who will be making financial decisions, accessing financial records or handling money as the screening is directly applicable to their job. While only a handful of states have thus passed a law about credit reporting, projections say other states will follow suit.
Inquiries about Salary History
Several states have restricted employers from inquiring about previous salaries. The impetus behind this requirement is an effort to end the wage gap or gender discrimination. This law is also likely to continue a pattern of adoption across the nation.
Engaging the services of a reputable professional agency, such as Data Screening, ensures you as an employer will meet all federal, state and local laws as you determine the best candidates for your positions.
About DataScreeening.com
Data Screening is a Certified Women’s Business Enterprise that has offered business-to-business employment and tenant screenings to human resource professionals and business owners, including staffing companies, for two decades. Among other organizations, they are members of the ASA (American Staffing Association), SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) and the NAPBS (National Association of Professional Background Screeners).