If you're looking for COVID-19 testing for your employees or prospective job candidates, VeriFirst can help. 

Our employee background screening services already include pre and post employment screening plus urinalysis drug screening. We have leveraged our current relationships with laboratories to offer virus testing to help keep your staff safe and healthy. Results will be delivered securely and in compliance with federal regulations. 

Read to learn more about COVID-19 testing as part of an employment background check.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the world's attention now includes protests in response to the death of George Floyd. Social media and video postings have brought to light individual reactions to the ongoing events and employers have been forced to address issues of discrimination and harassment in the workplace. Another consideration for employers is a potential arrest record when those individuals speak out or stand with protesters.  

Should employers consider arrest records from protests on employment background checks?

With the recent Bob Iger announcement that Disney may begin checking guest temperatures at the park gates, we're all soon faced with a new normal. In the new post-COVID-19 world, experts are also asking us to stop shaking hands and consider working from home. Employers and hiring managers will adjust to new requirements to bring staff back to work and back to normal.

Is it okay for employers to check temperatures or screen medical history during hiring or before allowing employees to go back to work? In some cases, the answer is yes.

Here are considerations for medical background checks for healthcare workers and other employees.

While some businesses face layoffs during the economic downturn and COVID-19 pandemic, hiring in other industries is going strong. The supply chain is being challenged to keep up with customer demand (and panic) so the manufacturing, transportation and retail industries are hiring more and quickly. Retailers such as Walmart and CVS are going online and working together to fast-track hiring. Because factory workers and truck drivers work with heavy equipment, the hiring process must be streamlined, and with safety in mind. 

Here are best practices in pre-employment background checks for transportation and manufacturing industries.

With more states legalizing marijuana use for medical and recreational use, employers have a right to be concerned.  VeriFirst has previously acknowledged that employers have the right to terminate an employee if they test positive for marijuana, however, some states are fighting against this. Even though marijuana is still considered a Schedule 1 substance under federal law, states like Nevada and California are considering or passing legislation to rule out drug screening for pot.

Let's take a look at states changing laws regarding pre-employment drug screening for marijuana and what it could mean for employers.

Interviewing potential employees can take up a lot of time as you try to find the right candidate that fits the job. Apart from learning about the qualifications of the applicants, there are other important things to review including their criminal background, work history, license verification and more. Some companies overlook this because receiving the results on the background checks can take too long. However, in addition to local court searches, there are instant options that you can use to minimize risks to your business.

Know when and how to get Prompt Results for Employee Screening.

Hiring managers look to criminal background checks to provide accurate and relevant data for their hiring decisions. When a criminal background check reveals an arrest or conviction, it doesn't necessarily mean that the candidate is no longer eligible for the job.  Unfortunately, it's not that cut and dry. The manager has a lot to consider:

• Can they use arrest records without conviction?
• Does the record pass individualized assessment?
• Are the records true, timely and accurate?

It's important to understand the data that is provided in a criminal background check and when it's available. There could also be criminal charges that haven't made it to the report yet. 

Let's take a closer look ...

Employers screening potential applicants face more regulations such as Ban the Box and other "fair chance" laws to decrease discrimination in hiring. Landlords are also facing more legislation for the same reason. Within the past several months, there have been new laws for landlords and property owners looking to run background checks on their tenants. 

Read more to learn about new laws impacting landlords and tenant screening.

In 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed the Drug-Free Workplace Act requiring employers of federal workers and certain federal contractors to adopt a drug-free workplace policy and create drug-free awareness programs. Today, many employers have chosen to adopt these policies and programs as the norm. If your organization is considering implementing a drug-free workplace or already has one in place, this post will offer what to consider, reasons to adopt the policy, drug screening practices and more.

Read more to learn about screening practices and how to implement a drug-free workplace.