Checking the backgrounds of potential new hires is crucial to both workplace safety and success in hiring. However, this important area is still shifting and changing as employers define and redefine what it means for their hiring processes. Alterations to policies in governmental oversight is a factor as well.
The following are four of the top pre-employee screening trends to watch in the year ahead:
1. FCRA Lawsuits Will Increase
The FCRA, or Fair Credit Reporting Act, serves to oversee how consumer agencies report sensitive information. There have been a high number of violations in this arena, especially as employment screening has become more widespread. This trend is expected to continue in 2016. In many cases, the violations will be due to a lack of understanding of FCRA rules.
2. More Employers Will Outsource Background Checks to Professional Services
Other pre-employee screening trends in 2016 that will dovetail with the first will be an increased use of professional employment verification, credit and criminal background screening services in place of in-house methods. Businesses that outsource employment screening will enjoy better results, increased fairness when screening applicants and peace of mind that screening is being done correctly and in compliance.
3. “Ban the Box” Measures Will Continue
The pre-employee screening trend to keep the checkbox that would reveal an applicant’s criminal past off job applications had traction in 2015, and this momentum is expected to continue in 2016. For those states affected, it will become more difficult to pre-screen people based upon an initial application. While in some cases the Ban the Box measure will allow reformed criminals to get a fresh start in their employment history, in others, a violent person with a criminal record could be inadvertently hired. Employment screening can help with ensuring a trustworthy, high-quality hire.
4. Employers, Human Resource Departments and Screening Firms Will Refine Their Approaches to Accuracy and Compliance
The increase in lawsuits referenced in trend #1 will lead to a more targeted focus on complying with the rules governing background checks. This will also result in movement toward greater levels of accuracy in general.
Pre-employee screening trends and background check trends expected for 2016 involve regulatory issues as well as characteristics that will help raise the bar for both employers and screening firms. Ultimately, the result will be a higher-quality experience for everyone involved. Watch for these four pre-employee screening trends in 2016.
Disclaimer Statement: All information presented is for information purposes only and is not intended to provide professional or legal advice regarding actions to take in any situation.
Thanks for pointing out the potential for a more targeted focus on complying with the rules governing background checks. I can definitely see how ensuring you have an accurate employment screening process would help shield you from any potential legal action. I would imagine that it could be a good idea for business to employ a legal adviser to help with the screening process.