Backgrounds Online's Knowledge Bank

Putting together a background check policy requires good planning and consideration to ensure compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

Companies who decide to start background checks on their applicants must create and implement a background check policy to follow. Backgrounds Online recommends meeting with legal council when creating a background check policy to follow as employers must abide by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) as well as various state laws, which can sometimes differ and override the FCRA.

All applicants must be aware of the background check policy. In addition, if a policy is put in place to check current employees, they must be made aware as well.

Creating a background check policy will entail deciding which positions will require background checks and what reports will be run in those checks. Furthermore, creating a background check policy will also dictate what will be acceptable for hiring and what will negate a candidate from being hired.