It's very important that we continue our mission to educate and inform our clients and readers about new regulations that may affect FCRA compliance.  We regularly share information on this blog about screening for hiring or placing tenants while explaining the importance of applicant rights. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) specifies how to collect consumer reports, who has access and for what purpose, and that applicants should be aware of the information in their consumer reports. 

Effective this week, September 21, 2018, companies using background checks must implement new regulations pertaining to Consumer Rights and FCRA compliance.

To remain FCRA compliant, consider the following timing for sending adverse action notices.

Since the beginning of the VeriFirst blog, the goal has been to provide an educational resource and assistance to employers and property managers. Compliance is important to those who read here, as well as an awareness of the latest employment and housing laws across the nation. VeriFirst's FCRA certified staff works closely with our clients to help with hiring the right employee or placing the perfect tenant.

Bookmark this blog post as a go-to compliance guide with background check forms and templates for employment screening and tenant screening.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) says that individuals have a right to access the background information stored on them, no one can access it without permissible purpose (such as employment), and they can dispute any information that is wrong. Adverse action procedures are specific in protecting these consumer rights. With the rise in FCRA compliance claims, employers are doing their best to follow regulations during adverse action procedures, including rescinding a job offer. 

When a hiring manager finds an arrest or conviction on a background check, what is the best way to withdraw the job offer and remain FCRA compliant? 

As a property owner or landlord, your goal is to find a tenant who will not only pay on time but also care for your property. VeriFirst's goal, as a background check company, is to help you find the right tenant and also encourage compliance with federal regulations such as FCRA and Fair Housing laws. To stay compliant, this means honoring consumer rights but you also need to protect your business. 

When is the last time you took the time to review your tenant screening criteria?

If an employer screens applicants regularly, they should be aware of federal,  state and local laws around background checks. Businesses of all sizes are being held to these strict regulations or else they are facing punitive fines in court. Consumer rights are protected against inaccurate reporting of their backgrounds. Other laws penalize for discrimination during the hiring process. If your business is running background checks, your hiring and screening policies should be consistent and compliant.

Is your employee screening policy in compliance? Review these laws to find out.

Whether you're screening an applicant prior to employment or screening a current employee, the chore of informing that person about a failed background check can feel cruel. They likely have good intentions and, for all intents and purposes, may have been stellar candidates or solid employees. The good news is that you can prepare for this process with some forethought and you may not have to withdraw a job offer or terminate them after all.

Here is a clear process to tell an employee that they failed their background check.

Background checks are necessary for employers who wish to have a clear picture of who they are hiring. It can be quite overwhelming to an HR department of one or an employer who doesn't hire often. With big companies being taken to court over compliance issues to fair chance hiring laws like "Ban the Box", a hiring manager could easily develop ideas about background screening that simply aren't true. 

Here are six common myths about background checks and the truth about what to do.

Creating a safe and successful workplace culture is important to employers who run background checks. Screening every employee, however, can be costly and slow down the hiring process. Some hiring managers may decide to use a quick and cheap internet database search to look up information before considering a candidate. Not only could this practice reveal inaccurate information, the applicant must give written consent before employers can dig into their backgrounds.  

Can an Employer Run a Background Check without Permission? Let's take a closer look.

As with any industry, terminology matters. Background check jargon can be challenging but it is helpful to have a basic understanding of some terms. A professional background screening company will also guide hiring managers, property managers and non-profit organizations through the process, pointing out ways to save both time and money. Background checks prior to employment (or during), before renting to a tenant, or hiring a volunteer is important to hiring and placing quality individuals but efficiency counts too.

Manage risk, save time and money with this list of jargon, terms, and definitions behind background checks.