Frequently-Asked Questions
- Why complete background checks?
Pre-employment screening, incremental ongoing career growth screening, litigation, and due diligence are more important than ever. Background checks save organizations time, money, and trouble by emphasizing transparency when bringing on new employees. back to top
- Is pre-employment screening ideal for my business?
Pre-employment and ongoing screening throughout an employee's career could potentially save your company thousands of dollars. Some statistics to consider:
- 30 % of business failures are due to poor hiring practices (Department of Commerce).
- 70 % of illegal drug users have full-time jobs (New York Times).
- 53 % of all job applications contain false information (Society of Human Resource Management).
- One in 32 adults has a criminal record, 45% of whom lie about it on job applications (Department of Justice).
- U.S. employers lose $20 billion to $40 billion per year due to fraud (U.S. Chamber of Commerce).
Pre-employment screening can help mitigate these issues before they arise. back to top
- How long after creating an account can I start processing a request?
We will activate your account within hours of receiving your signed service agreement. back to top
- What is the average turnaround time for the information requested?
Some requests are instant, while others may take anywhere from 72 hours to a few weeks. Some requests may take longer because certain states, employers, courts, and schools require more time to retrieve the information. back to top
- Do you need a release form signed?
Yes. Federal law and some states require applicants to provide their written authorization before running a background check. back to top
- Can background checks be run without informing the employee?
Most laws require that an applicant be notified when a background check is run. Federal law allows an exemption when investigating a suspected wrongdoing. Consult with an attorney for guidance on your specific situation. back to top
- Are your services strictly confidential?
Yes. Redstar Backgrounds does not trade, sell, or release any of the personal information provided during the account creation or fulfillment process. back to top
- Can anyone request a background check?
No. Due to the confidentiality and sensitivity of the information gathered, Redstar Backgrounds restricts background checks to individuals with the employer's "permissible authorization." back to top
- Is Redstar Backgrounds FCRA-compliant?
Yes. Please see the FCRA information in our Resources section. back to top
- What is the FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act)?
Please see the FCRA information in our Resources section for more information. back to top
- What should I do if there is an error in the background search?
The first thing the employer should do is notify the applicant. Allow the applicant to explain the error and supply the employer with the necessary documentation supporting the issue.
If the error resides in the report or research provided to the employer, then the employer should reinvestigate and give the applicant the results of the new report. If the error is still being reported, then it resides in the information source.
Information sources might be the courthouse, previous employers, educational institutions, etc. The applicant will need to contact the information source to correct the error before the employer reinvestigates. back to top
- Are there ways to reduce the risk of background check errors?
Yes. Employers can reduce the risk of errors in their background checks by following these simple steps:
1. Select a reputable background check company.
2. Use background checks consistently when hiring employees. This includes but is not limited to items such as: professional reference checks, drug testing, skill assessment, and interviews.
3. Thorough background checks must be performed. The information being gathered should apply to the potential employee's job description. This will ensure the correct searches are performed and considered during the hiring process.
4. The employer must inspect the applicant's paperwork for completeness, legibility, and consistency before submitting the request to the background check company. back to top
- What should I do if an applicant's employment is denied, in part or in whole, due to the results of the background check?
The applicant should be notified in writing before the final decision is made. Employers should inform the applicant of their rights and provide a copy of the background check.
The applicant should have the opportunity to review and challenge the report if there are any perceived errors. back to top
- How long do most background checks take?
A standard background check will depend on the research that goes into the profile report. Most profiles take between one hour and three days to complete. The timeframe will depend on the research completed on the candidate. back to top
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