Background Checks

Conducting background checks on job candidates? Know how to comply with the FCRA

12/12/2012

If your organization conducts background checks on applicants or employees through a third-party company, you must comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which is enforced by the Federal Trade Commission. Here are the steps to comply with the FCRA, according to the U.S. Bureau of Consumer Protection:

A step-by-step guide to legally safe hiring practices

11/27/2012

Hiring is one of the most difficult and legally dangerous tasks for supervisors. Just a few ill-timed words in a want ad or interview can trigger a legal complaint. Here are the key liability hot spots to watch out for in the hiring process:

Did the Fair Credit Reporting Act just change?

11/15/2012

Q. What were the recent changes to the Fair Credit Reporting Act?

Hiring: Sometimes, personal questions are OK

09/21/2012

We all know that hiring managers are supposed to avoid personal or intrusive questions when interviewing job applicants. However, under some limited circumstances, getting answers to such questions may be relevant and necessary to the hiring process.

New Illinois law bars employer access to social media accounts

09/20/2012

Some employers have recently begun to require employees and applicants to provide their passwords or otherwise allow access to their social media accounts. The Illinois Legislature has now put a stop to that practice.

Revise hiring processes to comply with S.B. 337

09/13/2012

A new Ohio law designed to make convicted criminals more employable means you must immediately review your hiring practices.

It’s time to review your criminal history screening practices

06/18/2012

In April, the EEOC issued a new Enforcement Guidance document on the use of criminal history information in making hiring and other employment decisions. In light of the guidance and the EEOC’s increased focus on discrimination in hiring, employers should review and update their criminal history screening policies and practices.

7 ways to limit your social media liability

06/14/2012

Online social networking sites provide a variety of benefits to organizations. They can help you collect industry-based knowledge, reach new customers, build your brand and publicize your company’s name and reputation. But those benefits come with their fair share of legal risks. You need a comprehensive social media policy to guide employees on your expectations about their online behavior.

EEOC’s new guidance on criminal background checks

05/30/2012

Earlier this year, the EEOC issued updated guidance on how employers should use arrest and conviction records when making hiring decisions. If you use criminal background checks to screen applicants and employees, this affects you! Fact: Checks that were once routine are now under the gun.

EEOC: We’re watching how you run criminal checks

05/09/2012

New, official EEOC guidance reinforces the commission’s view that using criminal histories to screen out job applicants can violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act by having a disparate impact on minorities.