Background check tools allow businesses to find the best employees
Oct 08, 2011 Matt Roesly
Businesses looking to hire new employees must always be concerned with exactly who is joining their payrolls. Background check tools allow business owners and hiring managers the opportunity to determine if a potential team member has a history that may impact his or her job duties. According to Reuters, background checks also allow businesses to avoid negligent hiring lawsuits, damaging public relations events and potentially dangerous interactions for other employees and customers. Investing in the latest background check tools can help ensure that businesses don't go too far with their investigations. Balance is key when researching prospective employees. In some cases, background checks that go to deep can result in a lawsuit due to an invasion of privacy. To best protect themselves from harmful employees and lawsuits, businesses should stay up-to-date about pre-employment background check laws. The Small Business Administration warns that employers must get written consent from an applicant before obtaining his or her credit report, as spelled out in the Fair Credit Reporting Act. In addition, the Employee Polygraph Protection Act prohibits the use of lie detector tests for employment, and the Americans with Disabilities Act only allows employers to inquire about whether an applicant is physically able to perform specific job duties. Laws regarding criminal history checks very from state to state.