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Written By Attorney Lester Rosen, Founder & CEO of Employment Screening Resources (ESR)
The applicant experience and employer branding will become critical considerations for the background check process in 2015. Since employers are concerned with employer branding and the applicant experience, the background check process will focus on making the applicant experience as comfortable as possible as well as assuring applicants that their background checks are accurate, legally compliant, and their privacy rights are protected. This trend is number 9 on the Employment Screening Resources (ESR) 8th Annual ‘ESR Top Ten Background Check Trends for 2015.’ For a list of background check trends, visit https://www.esrcheck.com/ESR-Top-Ten-Background-Check-Trends.
As part of the war for talent, employer branding is critical and that extends to all interactions between potential applicants and the employer including the background check process. That requires a background check process that is easy and intuitive. If an applicant has any difficulties navigating the background check software, live in-person help should be readily available. In addition, consumers need to be made aware that their privacy and legal rights are protected and that a background check firm uses best practices to obtain accurate and timely information. If there is a dispute, the background check firm will provide the applicant top notch customer service and assistance. A good background check firm treats consumers just as they world treat a client, because the background check firm has a duty to protect consumers.
Employers need to recognize the importance of the applicant experience during the background check process in relation to their employer brand. To create an ideal applicant experience first requires transparency with background check policies and practices. Since a background check can be an uncomfortable process for applicants, employers should explain what searches will be performed. The background check release form should be easy to read and explain the process while providing contact information if the applicant has questions. Having applicants fill out their own data using an Applicant Generated Report (AGR) system will also give them more control over the background check process.
It is important for applicants to understand their rights during the background check process under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which promotes the accuracy, fairness, and privacy of information in a background check report. Information about applicant rights during a background check is in a form titled ‘A Summary of Your Rights Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act’ from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) available at https://www.esrcheck.com/file/CFPB_Summary-of-Rights-Under-FCRA.pdf. In addition, Employment Screening Resources® (ESR) offers an Applicant Resources page available at https://www.esrcheck.com/Resource-Center/Applicant-Resources/.
ESR Top Ten Background Check Trends for 2015 Webinar
Employment Screening Resources® (ESR) will present a complimentary webinar hosted by ESR Founder and CEO Attorney Lester Rosen titled ‘ESR Top Ten Background Check Trends for 2015’ on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM Noon Pacific Time. To register for this webinar, please visit the registration link at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3656006267617568513.
