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Blog Wednesday, May 24 2023
 A background check is a critical part of the hiring process.
Even if a candidate seems like an amazing fit, you’ll want to do your due diligence in screening them. This article will explain why background checks matter and outline three important factors to consider.
Why Conduct Background Checks in Florida? There are 2.8 million small businesses in Florida. These companies make up 99.8% of all companies in the state!
Now, Florida is home to 22 million residents. And while there are plenty of people available to work, employers need to be cautious. Completing background checks will ensure your company hires only the most qualified, trustworthy candidates.
This is just one of the many reasons to make pre-employment screening a part of your hiring process. Now let’s discuss some considerations when conducting a background check.
3 Things to Look for in a Background Check So you’ve decided to start running background checks on your job applicants.
What should you look for in a pre-screening solution?
We recommend that you focus on three key factors:
Some candidates stretch the truth in a cover letter or application. Others flat-out lie on their resumes. A comprehensive background check will verify the applicant’s information. The right solution will avoid mistakes like:
The more experienced the background check provider, the better off you’ll be.
Employers should look at more than just the applicant’s resume. The most cutting-edge background check solutions consider a combination of the following:
You’ll almost certainly want to look at the applicant’s criminal history—both in Florida and nationwide. A successful background check provider will go over local, state, and federal court records.
You can verify an applicant’s driving history with the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). Note that a minor offense like a single speeding ticket shouldn’t affect your hiring decision.
Employers in Florida can also evaluate an applicant’s credit history by conducting a search through financial institutions like banks and credit unions.
Many screening providers will perform a deep-dive on an applicant’s education history. They may also confirm that the candidate’s licenses and certifications are current and accurate.
Your background check program must follow federal and Florida state laws. The goal here is to protect the applicant’s confidentiality and prevent problematic hiring practices. Keep the following laws in mind:
This law makes employers get the job applicant’s consent before conducting a background check. It also gives candidates the right to dispute their screening results if they believe they are inaccurate.
While Florida doesn’t have a state law that prohibits employers from asking applicants about their criminal history, certain Florida cities and counties do. Learn more about Ban the Box laws here.
Businesses with over 15 employees cannot discriminate based on a candidate’s disability. This law also forbids employers from using applicants’ medical information against them.
If you turn down a job applicant based on information you find in a background check, you’ll need to send a formal letter justifying your decision. This process is known as pre-adverse action. Employers must also give the candidate a copy of the background check and any other documents involved in the screening process.
A Trusted Screening Partner for Florida Businesses Are you ready to make background screening a pillar of your hiring process?
At Redstar Backgrounds and DrugScreenKits.com, our team will help you through every step. Our services are comprehensive, compliant, and perfect for employers in Florida. Whether you live in Tampa or Orlando, Miami or Jacksonville, or Tallahassee or Sarasota, we have your needs covered.
Please contact us for details, or to set up a free consultation. For more information on our screening services, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. |
