2023 was a great year for Choice Screening. A year of recognition, development, and education, of new laws and regulations, and of course, many informative background screening blogs. We’ve complied the 10 best so you can review and prepare your organization for better hiring practices in 2024!
Drug and Alcohol testing is utilized to create a safe and drug-free environment for employees and clients. But recently with marijuana legalization gaining popularity and various human rights movements, there can be confusion as to when to test, how to test, and the legality of testing. We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions to alleviate any concerns you may have and to aid you when creating policies.
Salary History Bans continue to gain traction and popularity throughout the United States and beyond. Salary History Ban prohibits employers from asking prospective employees for salary history information. It also prohibits employers from refusing to hire an applicant who does not disclose their salary history. Salary history information can include prior wages, benefits and/or compensation information.
3. Update: CA Court PII Redaction
In May 2021 California Court of Appeals decision in All of Us or None – Riverside Chapter vs. W. Samuel Hamrick, Clerk Case, resulted in partial or no access to DOB and other significant PII. As a result of this decision, it has greatly impacted the ability to complete timely and accurate background checks in California, most notably in Los Angeles County. Since that decision, multiple counties have followed suit and no longer provide DOB and PII including (but not limited to) Butte, Calaveras, Contra Costa, Glenn, Kings, Lake, Lassen, Los Angeles, Madera, Marin, Merced, Napa, Placer, Riverside, Sacramento, San Benito, San Bernardino, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Shasta, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Tulare, Tuolumne, Ventura, and Yuba.
4. The Gaping Hole in Your Background Check
The vast majority of employers already conduct a comprehensive background check. But what most employers may not realize is that there are some criminal offenses that will not turn up in any state or county searches or any the products listed above. To fill that hole in your comprehensive background check, we recommend adding our Federal Criminal Search, especially when hiring Executives, C-Suite, IT, Financial positions, and other critical positions.
Pre-employment background screening is well documented in having many benefits. But have you considered rescreening your current employees? This is also known as continuous monitoring or periodic monitoring. How can you benefit from continuous monitoring? Protecting brand reputation, protecting your organization from theft, and creating a safe working environment for your employees and customers. Discover bad behavior, document good behavior and more with Choice ReScreen, our solution to continuous monitoring.
The California Fair Chance Act of 2023 SB 809 was originally introduced into California Senate in February 2023, and most recently met in April 2023 to propose and amend the Act. California will have the most restrictive criminal background check regulations out of all 50 states if this law passes. The proposed new law will essentially eliminate utilizing criminal history in employment decisions.
7. Diploma Mills: How to Protect Your Organization
Diploma mills, provide individuals with fake education credentials, from a high school diploma to doctorates without requiring much if any work, classes, exams or waiting. They exist all over the world, including in the US, and have been increasing as online education grows. Diplomas from these institutions look quite real and sometimes mimic those of a real and reputable school. Mills may even create full websites and claim accreditation (typically from fake companies).
8. Form I-9 Flexibilities Extension
In October 2022, DHS announced an extension of the Form I-9 flexibilities until July 31, 2023. Click here for the full DHS announcement.
9. Background Screening Glossary of Terms
This is your all-in-one reference guide for everything background screening! From criminal records to verifications; from drug testing to Form I-9. The easier it is to understand your background report, the better your hiring decision will be!
The Background Screening Glossary of Terms will quickly become your go-to when requesting and using a background report - whether you're new to background checks or a seasoned veteran!
10. The Broadening of Adverse Action
Adverse Action includes any decision that is unfavorable toward an applicant, employee, consumer, or volunteer that is based all or in part on the results of a background screen. This can include but is not limited to denial of employment, promotion, transfer or raise. It is also when an applicant is denied a rental agreement or special terms to an agreement. The FCRA and several state legislatures require adherence to certain procedures when action is taken.