We do get asked this question occasionally (and probably should more often). Recruiters and hiring managers may naturally peruse an applicant's social posts - especially if they've applied via a social network such as LinkedIn. Is it a good idea?

Let's take a closer look at why an employer would want to check out a potential employee's use of social media. Can you include social media in background checks?

When hiring for small businesses, terms like "flexible" and "wear many hats" are usually in the job description. After all, a small business is a growing business and employees must be willing to do their share, and probably even more, to ensure success and hiring of more employees. Hiring at the right time is challenging enough without considering if the person has unsettling marks on their history. Many small businesses find that background screening is too cost-prohibitive or complex. This doesn't have to be the case.

Here is a helpful guide to background checks for small businesses.

It's vital for HR managers to understand the changes happening in hiring and employment so they can attract and retain the best talent and remain compliant with state and federal laws. 2018 and the few years prior have seen a push for reduced bias, equal pay and more demands from a younger workforce. These changes continue to affect not only how to hire, but how to retain current employees, as well as legislative response with new employment laws.

Here's what employers can expect in hiring trends and employment legislation in 2019.

Your views, comments and clicks help to guide the direction of the VeriFirst Background Check blog and inform how to better help our clients.  We hope to continue to provide guidance and education to keep employers and HR professionals informed. Our yearly top ten list may also reveal clues to hiring and background check trends in the new year.

Here is a list of the top background check blog posts for 2018.

Running a background check on new hires is a common HR practice. Applicants recognize that their criminal backgrounds, credit history, driving records and professional experience (among other things) could possibly be a deterrent to a job offer. Employees currently working for an organization, however, may not expect a background check from their employer. While not a common practice across all industries, we are asked the question with some regularity and thought we should address it.

Should an employer consider running background checks on current employees?

Federal and state regulations are changing with practically every class action lawsuit and it can be a challenge to stay abreast of the latest information. In order to take the education even further, we've done some of the work for you, providing free sample templates and other forms that can be used to help with background screening practices. One more template is now available - a free sample background check policy.

Read more to learn why your business may need a background check policy.

In November 2018, national retailer of pet supplies, Petco, was ordered to pay 1.2 Million dollars in a California Employment Background Screening Class Action Settlement. The case was brought against the company in 2016 when two applicants found that the employer "obtained and reviewed consumer reports" about their financial history without first obtaining consent. One applicant was hired but the other was denied employment due to adverse information on her background check report. She was not notified properly so she could dispute any inaccurate information.

With the number of Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) lawsuits against employers, it's obvious that job applicants are more aware of their applicant rights than ever before. Is your screening provider giving you guidance on FCRA compliance so your organization is protected against litigation for improper adverse action?

Let's look at the case against Petco.

The #MeToo movement may be affecting the annual company holiday party tradition, according to a recent study quoted on HRDive. Even though consumer and corporate confidence in the economy is higher than last year, the amount of companies planning to host a holiday party is as low as it was in 2009. The reason? Alcohol, the potential for inappropriate behavior and the liability of the HR department and the company throwing the shindig. While 57% of employees have seen their co-workers drunk, many businesses are considering a way to make the annual gathering less...wild.

Should your company have a holiday party? Let's offer some ideas to avoid bad behavior.

Whether it's your first hire or your thousandth, employers should have very clear and thorough knowledge of background checks. Pre-employment background checks are highly recommended to reduce turnover, minimize risk of negligent hiring and legal costs. At a minimum, employers should be verifying previous employment, education, criminal records, and credentials. 

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has recommendations for screening candidates that employers must also follow so they won't be responsible for punitive damages if the candidate decides to file a claim. Employers should also know what screens to ask for, how to get a faster turnaround and at a fair cost.

When hiring a new employee, it may be tempting to run every background check available. This is a bad idea for two reasons - (1) running unneeded background checks will take longer and (2) they'll cost more too.

Instead of checking the box on every background check, consider certain background checks may only be needed for certain types of jobs. Understanding the types of background checks, and what information they reveal, can also be helpful to determine which background checks best fit the situation.

How to select a background check package for new hires