Federal, state and municipal labor and employment laws changed as of late 2016 and 2017.
- Many states approved minimum wage increases with adjustments for consequent years.
- Laws concerning the medical and recreational use of marijuana were liberalized.
- Some states limited inquiries about applicants’ prior salaries to encourage pay equity.
- Some states enacted new paid sick leave measures.
Employers may be hard-pressed to keep up with what went into effect in 2016 and what is still scheduled to take effect this year.
Do these changes affect conducting pre-employment background checks?
Yes, they do! For example, the liberalization of marijuana necessitates adjustments in drug screening laws, especially those requiring periodic testing in the workplace.
These changes are not the only strong impacts. Ban the box, and the gig economy are two more trends shaping employment practices.
Wikipedia explains “Ban the Box” as:
“The name of an international campaign by civil rights groups and advocates for ex-offenders, aimed at persuading employers to remove from their hiring applications the check box that asks if applicants have a criminal record.”
This movement aligns with the Fair Chance Act which went into effect late in 2015.
WhatIs.com says “a Gig Economy” as:
“An environment in which temporary positions are common and organizations contract with independent workers for short-term engagements.”
If you are a small business, it may be time to refresh your knowledge of state and municipal laws that legally affect you. Moreover, it would be advantageous to use a reputable agency in your hiring practices. An agency such as datascreening.com keeps up with current laws and trends so that you receive the most complete, accurate and trustworthy information.
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 New Jersey Staffing Alliance, the Society for Human Resource Management and the National Association of Professional SBackground Screeners. How may we help you today?