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The Professional Background Screening Association hosted a virtual conference that covered new laws, best practices and other important topics.

About The Conference

In September, 2020, the Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA – formerly the NAPBS) hosted their annual conference online. Participants from across the globe tuned in for their “Make Way For Excellence” theme as lawyers and industry experts discussed background screening solutions, compliance and operating during the pandemic.

Backgrounds Online was excited to participate. We tuned in for noteworthy presentations, including:

Disaster Preparedness

Several speakers brought up the need for background screening companies to be prepared for any eventuality. Come what may, Consumer Reporting Agencies (CRAs) like Backgrounds Online must be able to produce comprehensive background checks that help employers build strong teams and create safe workplaces.

We take numerous steps to be ready for anything. This involves ongoing training, building proprietary technology and undergoing an annual SOC 2 audit to ensure our systems are secure and redundancies are operational. Every member of our team is committed to helping clients succeed. When the pandemic hit, we immediately turned to a remote workforce to sustain uninterrupted service.

Compliance

This is a major topic at every PBSA conference. It is essential for employers and CRAs to comply with federal laws such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act and applicable state bills.

Backgrounds Online bolsters our client’s compliance efforts by offering sample disclosure, authorization and related documents. We also provide a candidate entry system that asks applicants to send their data directly to us and ensures they authorize necessary forms. Our website hosts educational resources including this blog, a State Laws feature and our monthly Newsletter.

Criminal Records

One of the most critical components of every background check is the criminal records section. While many convictions are for minor offenses that would not warrant an adverse action, it is essential for employers to check the criminal history of every applicant. Bringing on someone who has a violent or other serious offense could lead create undue risks and lead to claims of negligence.

Backgrounds Online offers a suite of criminal searches. We also take precautions to make sure our reports only include reportable records that can be considered by employers. Certain records, such as those that were sealed, are no longer publicly available. Viewing such items during the hiring process could be a liability.

Problem Solving

Several presenters covered the necessity for background screeners to be advanced problem solvers as well as service professionals. Every business has unique needs. A strong CRA must be able to address them all.

The team at Backgrounds Online is highly trained. Each member of our processing team earns their FCRA certification. We also participate in events like the annual PBSA conference, monthly best practice calls and other industry staples.

When you work with us, you get a dedicated account manager who learns about your screening needs so they can better assist you. We are a service-first company that partners with you to deliver an expedited, seamless screening experience from start to finish.

Need Background Checks?

As numerous conference guests suggested, employers should work with CRAs that are accredited by the PBSA and can supply all the screening products and solutions their clients require.

If you are looking for integrated service, customized background checks or other solutions, please contact us. Our team is available to serve you Monday through Friday from 5am to 6pm PT.