Background Checks

The Premium Investigations Team

Background checks are used in nearly every industry. They are now a common part of a job application or a tenant application. What and why background checks are used comes down to one goal: making informed decisions about people.

When looking for a new employee for your business or a new potential tenant for your apartment, you want to know that the information they provided is accurate. And, just as important, you want to make sure that they are not purposefully withholding crucial facts.

Background checks investigate various kinds of information. Services like Premium Investigations allow for customization so you can focus on the information that you need.

Criminal records checks (and the related sexual offender checks) are used so often, many people equivocate background checks to them. Indeed, most background checks will include some level of criminal records check. Employers use this to make sure that the criminal record the applicant self-reports is accurate. A discrepancy between the two can indicate potential dishonesty issues. In some cases, industry rules and regulations bar people convicted of certain crimes from working in that industry in the future. (For example, someone convicted of financial fraud is barred from working in the banking industry.)

The various levels of criminal records checks are usually broken into three levels: local, state, and federal. Different places and jurisdictions have different laws and regulations about processing criminal records, which is why they are often split like this.

Civil checks look into a category of judicial decisions which involve the courts but not necessarily a criminal conviction. This includes bankruptcies, liens, and judgments. Like with criminal records, certain industries may bar applicants who have certain civil cases or related aspects. (Some financial institutions may require complete transparency if an applicant had to file for bankruptcy, or otherwise wait until a certain amount of time before considering them for the job.)

Another common component of the background check is the driver’s license check, including the driving abstract. This part of the check looks into an applicant’s driving history. This shows driver status, license classification, suspensions or violations, and points, amongst other things. This kind of check is important for any position that involves regular driving, like delivery or inspecting off campus sites.

Education verification often plays another crucial role in background checks. When looking into an applicant, you want to be sure that the education experience that they are reporting is accurate; the degrees, certification, and credits that they have can play a vital role in how their next job goes. In the case of education, there is no central database that lists everyone’s accreditations. That’s why education history is essentially done by hand; the places listed on the resume are called to confirm the information is accurate.

And then there is the social security number check. The check is relatively simple, allowing you to ensure that the person’s name and SSN match.

One common thread throughout all of these different parts of a background check is “confirming.” There are many instances where having a spotted background check is not the issue. Rather, it is the dishonesty of not admitting to these things that causes distrust. Most people do not want to assume the worst in others; background checks give you peace of mind that the applicant is as forthcoming and truthful as they seem.

There are several laws involving background checks that work to protect both individuals and businesses. One of the most important laws is that an applicant must give written consent to a background check. This can be accomplished by having the applicant fill out a background check authorization form during the application process. Another is that you cannot discriminate when determining who gets a background check. For example, you cannot conduct background checks applicants based on gender, race, or other protected class. You cannot discuss any information uncovered in a background check with other people. There are other laws and regulations involved, so consult with the human resources department or lawyer if you have additional questions.

Background checks allow you to make informed decisions about your applicants. Knowing that you are completing a thorough and accurate check will give you even more peace of mind. Premium Investigations can provide that and more. Learn more on our background check page here.