Employee Background Checks

In business, having a strong team is crucial to success. HR professionals work hard to find and hire the best talent available; background checks play a vital role in this process. By conducting fast and thorough background checks, employers can ensure they hire top-tier candidates and keep them from competitors.

As an HR professional, you have the power to shape your organization’s future. This guide is designed to be your trusted ally in that journey, helping you confidently and efficiently navigate the complex landscape of employee background checks.

With the right information and tools, you can confidently make well-informed decisions, significantly reducing the risk of a bad hire and setting your organization up for long-term success.

Background Checks 101 for HR Professionals

A pre-employment background check is a process that allows employers to verify the information on an applicant’s resume and determine whether they are qualified for the job. A typical background check includes:

• Criminal history (e.g., arrests, convictions, etc.)
• Education verification (e.g., diplomas, degrees)
• Employment history verification (e.g., previous employers)

With background checks, you can learn about a job applicant’s criminal history, educational background, and employment history, and determine whether or not they are qualified for the position in question; if they have any issues with their current jobs or previous employers; if applicants have been involved in any legal disputes; or even if they have any financial problems that might affect their ability to perform well at work (such as unpaid taxes). Employers use background checks to ensure that the candidates they are considering are qualified, honest, and reliable.

Background checks can help you avoid hiring someone who might be unsuitable for your company and gives you leverage over candidates who want to work for your company. Additionally, background checks can help employers maintain a safe work environment by ensuring that they are hiring individuals who have no criminal history or other issues that may impact their ability to perform at their best in the workplace.

As an HR professional, you are responsible for conducting the background check and verifying the information provided by the job applicant. You should also ensure that the background check complies with federal, state, local, and industry regulations.

What is the Process for Employee Background Checks?

• Obtaining Consent When someone applies for a job, they must consent to a background check. This can be done verbally or in writing (e-signature).
• Doing the Background Check Once an applicant consents, the company may gather information about the candidate. This can be done in person, over the phone, or online. It may include checking references and verifying any educational or professional degrees the applicant claims to have. This is also the time when employers can check for criminal records. If an applicant has a history of committing crimes, this will show up in their background check.
• Reviewing the Results After the results of a background check are in, they need to be reviewed by both HR and management staff members. At this point, you will know whether an applicant is suitable for your company.

The Perfect Balance of Technology and Service

As companies strive to hire the best talent, they must trust the people they bring on board. This is where background check services come into play, ensuring businesses have all the necessary information to make informed hiring decisions. But when it comes to choosing the right background check service, the dilemma often revolves around technology vs. service. So, which background check service is the best?

It’s necessary to recognize that the background check industry comprises technology and service aspects to select the best provider. While some companies focus solely on providing cutting-edge technological solutions, others prioritize excellent customer service. However, the best background check services understand the importance of balancing these two aspects.

Why Combining Technology and Service Matters for Background Checks

The most effective background check solutions seamlessly blend technology and service to deliver an outstanding experience for employers and job seekers. Here’s why this combination matters:

• Efficiency: Using advanced technology in background checks ensures that the process is streamlined and accurate. By automating various data collection and analysis aspects, companies can quickly gather and verify information, reducing the time spent on manual tasks.
• Accuracy: In addition to efficiency, technology plays a crucial role in ensuring the accuracy of background check results. With sophisticated algorithms and access to vast databases, the best background check services can deliver precise, up-to-date information, minimizing the risk of errors or inconsistencies.
• Personalized Support: While technology is a game-changer for the background check industry, the human element remains vital. A responsive customer service team can help address any issues, concerns, or questions during the process. This personalized support ensures employers and job seekers feel confident in the results and the overall experience.
• Flexibility: Different businesses have different requirements for background checks. A combination of technology and service allows for tailored solutions catering to each company’s unique needs, ensuring that the background check process aligns with their hiring goals and policies.

The perfect blend of technology and service allows the most outstanding background check solutions to empower businesses to confidently make informed decisions. While it may be tempting to lean towards one side of the spectrum or the other, the key to success in the background check industry lies in striking the right balance between these two crucial elements. So, when choosing a background check service for your company, always look for one that prioritizes technology and service, ensuring you get the best of both worlds.

Accuracy in Background Checks

Companies performing background checks often rely on databases, public records, and other sources of information to gather the necessary data. These results are then analyzed and compiled into a report provided to the requester for decision-making purposes.

The accuracy of background checks depends on several factors, including the methods used by the screening company, the quality of the data sources, and the thoroughness of the search. It’s crucial to remember that the level of accuracy may differ between screening companies due to variations in their processes, procedures, and technology setups. Therefore, selecting a reliable and experienced provider is essential in ensuring the accuracy of your background checks.

Accurate background checks are beneficial for both the employer and the applicant. Accurate information can help employers avoid hiring someone potentially dangerous or disruptive. Inaccurate information could lead to legal liability if they hire someone who is later found to have committed a crime while working for them. Accurate background checks can help applicants find jobs more suited to their skill sets and interests. Inaccurate information may result in being passed over for jobs that would otherwise be a good fit.

One way to ensure the accuracy of your background checks is by partnering with a reputable screening company like Atlantic Employee Screening which has employee screening solutions that emphasize the importance of human follow-up and top-notch customer service.

Atlantic’s criminal background checks include all arrests with complete histories of dispositions. Their comprehensive services include employee screening, identification and address reports, license verification, and more – all without an annual membership fee or monthly minimum.

The Need for Speed in the Hiring Process

Speed is a big deal in the hiring process. It’s not just about getting to the finish line faster, though that is important. Speed also impacts how well you can screen for quality candidates and get them into your pipeline.

The benefits of a faster hiring process are clear: You can find more qualified people with the skills and experience you need, which will help you grow your business faster and make more money. The risks associated with a slower hiring process include losing out on great candidates who move on to other jobs because they aren’t willing to wait for weeks or months before hearing back from you (and let’s face it–they probably won’t).

A good pre-employment background check can take two to five business days. However, the duration of a background check may depend on various factors, such as 

• The type of data an employer requires
• The completeness of the check request form,
• The applicant’s history. 

For instance, a criminal background check may take one to three business days. A comprehensive background screening may take up to five business days or more.

Atlantic Employee Screening is dedicated to revolutionizing the hiring process by offering employers a fast, accurate, and streamlined experience. Its user-friendly platform simplifies the background check process, enabling HR teams to initiate screenings with a single click. This eliminates manual data entry, saving time and reducing errors.

In addition, the company provides customizable disclosure forms and automated disclosures at the county, city, state, and federal levels, so you can be confident that you’re meeting all legal requirements while reducing the time to hire.

Atlantic prioritizes building strong relationships with clients, as evident in the availability of an integration specialist who will work closely with you from day one to the customer support team available via phone, email, or LiveChat during work hours.

Essential Questions to Ask Your Employee Screening Provider

When choosing an employee screening provider, it’s crucial to ask the right questions to ensure you get the best service possible. Here are some of the most important questions and the answers you should expect from a top-notch provider like Atlantic Employee Screening.

What background check services do you offer?

A good employee screening provider, such as Atlantic Employee Screening, offers a comprehensive range of background check services, including criminal records, credit history, employment and education verification, reference checks, and drug testing.

How long does it take to receive the results of a background check?

The turnaround time for a background check should be fast and efficient. Atlantic Employee Screening, for example, offers results in as little as 24-48 hours for most checks.

Are your background checks FCRA compliant?

Compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is crucial for any background check provider. Atlantic Employee Screening ensures all their background checks are fully FCRA compliant, protecting you and your potential employees.

What is your process for ensuring the accuracy of the information provided?

A reputable employee screening provider should have a thorough process to ensure the accuracy of their information. Atlantic Employee Screening has a multi-step verification process that includes manual quality checks to ensure you receive accurate and up-to-date information.

Can you provide custom packages based on my company’s needs?

The best employee screening providers offer customizable packages to meet your specific needs. Atlantic Employee Screening works closely with clients to create custom screening packages tailored to their unique requirements.

How secure is your data storage and transmission?

Data security is a top concern when dealing with sensitive employee information. Atlantic Employee Screening uses industry-leading encryption methods and secure servers to keep your information safe and confidential.

Can you provide ongoing support and assistance?

A reliable employee screening provider will offer ongoing support and assistance to ensure a seamless experience. Atlantic Employee Screening provides dedicated customer support teams to address any questions or concerns you may have throughout the process.

Working With Atlantic

Compliant employee background checks with quick turnaround times are necessary for employers looking to hire the best talent. With such a competitive hiring market, it is essential to have access to not only top-tier background screening services but a customer service team that has your back no matter what.

Employee Background Checks From Your ATS

Our processors are trained to not only provide accurate reports but specialize in compliance as well as technology. We use a service agreement instead of a binding contract because we believe in working daily to earn your business.

Easy for Candidates

Employee background checks are easier with our QuickApp; your candidates get an online, paperless invitation that helps them through the screening process in minutes. The candidate can complete an intuitive application and authorization form on their phone or computer. Our QuickApp automates federal, state, and city disclosures where the candidate lives and where they’ll work to ensure your company’s compliance with applicable laws. Automated drug screening passports can also be delivered to the candidate via e-mail, allowing either the employer or the applicant to schedule their drug screening appointment.

Free Adverse Action Letters

We offer unlimited Pre-Adverse and Adverse Action Letters in both English and Spanish that you can use electronically or otherwise for your convenience. Also, we offer standard forms (such as our authorization), or you can choose to utilize your own. Just about everything can be tailored to fit you and your company!

We Work Hard For You

Not only can you anticipate top-notch customer service, but our pricing is also predictable: no hidden or annual fees! We also use a service agreement rather than a binding contract. We believe in working every single day to earn your business, and with our 99% customer retention rate, we’d say it’s been pretty successful!

Get Started with Atlantic Employee Screening Services

Investing in high-quality employee screening services is essential for your company’s success. With Atlantic Employee Screening, you can trust that you’re partnering with a provider that delivers fast, accurate, and comprehensive results.

Don’t let your hiring decisions be left to chance. Choose Atlantic Employee Screening for a partner that prioritizes accuracy, compliance, and customer satisfaction. Ready to experience the difference? Start with instant pricing here, or contact our team today for a free consultation and learn more about our customized screening solutions.

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