Hiring 101: Background Checks

When appropriately used, background checks can be a powerful tool in making employment decisions. However, an employer that wants to obtain background checks from a consumer reporting agency must be cognizant of a number of laws that can limit when it may obtain a background check and how it may use the information revealed by that background check. Employers must also provide various disclosures and notices prior to obtaining a background check or taking an adverse action as a result. Employers that use or are considering using background checks as part of their hiring process should consider the following to ensure compliance with these laws at each step during the background check process.