Court Closures May Slow Pre-Employment Background Screening Process; Opines CriminalBackgroundRecords.com
With the COVID19 outbreak and subsequent lockdown county courts across the country were immediately impacted, and, subsequently, the process of conducting a pre-employment background check slowed significantly. Adam Almeida, President and CEO of CriminalBackgroundRecords.com opines: "Information from a county court is often the most current data one can gather for pre-employment background screening and with the slowdown and limited availability of court records hiring managers should take immediately note and, subsequently, work with a well-qualified third-party pre-employment background screening agency, such as CriminalBackgroundRecords.com, in order to understand the impact court closures may have on their hiring process."
WALTHAM, Mass., May 12, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The current COVID19 lockdown of non-essential workers has greatly impacted access for current county court records which could significantly impact pre-employment background screening. Adam Almeida, President of CriminalBackgroundRecords.com, states: "Hiring managements and HR departments should take immediate note of the situation with record access at county courts; and continue to work closely with a well-qualified third-party background screening agency in order to stay ahead of any challenges related to COVID 19 and subsequent court closures.
Despite layoffs and furloughs, and a record high unemployment rate, hiring continues. Some essential industries and companies are expanding their workforce in order to keep up with the demand for their goods and services.
Adam Almeida states: "Essential industries such as health organizations, grocery stores, take-out food establishments, shipping and delivery services and other industries still require workers. While the process may have changed significantly, the process and vetting of applicants has not changed, although access to important county court records has become complicated."
Criminal History Records and other important court related documents are often required in a pre-employment background check, but delays in access may prove challenging to employers.
From HRDive.com (Apr 09, 20):
Employers request background checks to verify that a potential hire is who they claim to be and such efforts often include a check of the individual's criminal record. However, courts across the country are restricting access to prevent the spread of COVID-19, which is resulting in delays in criminal background checks of potential hires…(1)
Some experts state that databases are only as good as the data input and with delays at the court level, databases can become incomplete or outdated.
From SHRM.com (Apr 30, 20):
Using one of several national databases to search for court records is often insufficient on its own, because records found in these online searches may be incomplete or outdated, experts said. (2)
Almeida concludes: "As essential employers are hired, and as people generally return to work post-COVID, employers and hiring managers should continue to utilize a well-qualified third-party pre-employment background screening agency as a partner in making it through these trying times. Understanding access to key records, as well as how to access these records, can be critical in making the right hiring decision."
CriminalBackgroundRecords.com is a third-party employment screening company, an advocate of SHRM, a member in good standing with the PBSA (Professional Background Screening Association) and for over 17 years has maintained an A+ Rating with the BBB (Better Business Bureau). The company has highly trained operators well versed in the needs and requirements of companies and organizations large and small utilizing public records, such as criminal background records, as part of a hiring process. Assisting companies in maintaining full compliance under the law is a central tenet of all client relationships with CriminalBackgroundRecords.com.
Notes:
(1) hrdive.com/news/court-closures-during-covid-19-cause-background-check-concerns/575817/
(2) shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/talent-acquisition/pages/employment-screening-drug-testing-options-covid19-pandemic.aspx
SOURCE Criminal Background Records
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