Backgrounds Online's Knowledge Bank

Inform your applicants and employees about company policy regarding background checks because nobody likes to be left in the dark.

Whether a company is a “start up” or has been in business for years, when a background check policy is implemented the company would be wise to inform their employees about the new policy.

For a company just starting out fresh, informing potential applicants about the background check policy is as easy as implementing the release form into the application process. Many employers include the release of information (which gives permission from the applicant to the employer to conduct the background check) along with the job application and some do this even before an interview takes place. An applicant with a criminal history who knows will preclude him from getting the job may not come back for an interview or even finish completing the application.

A company who already has established employees, but starts the background checking process needs to inform their employees and have them sign the release of information. Backgrounds Online suggests deferring to legal council for the wording of the release and it should be noted that all employees would need to go through the background check process, so that no discrimination could be claimed.