Checking Backgrounds Before Hiring

Question: I'm always networking with other business owners and increasing numbers of them say they are doing employee background checks before hiring. Many people stretch the truth on resumes, or outright lie. And these days, it's hard to be too careful. Where can we get help to do this right?

Answer: Your informal survey is right. Pre-employment screening is happening more than ever before - some formal, some informal. Services that perform background checks for employers are proliferating. And the Internet has made background checks of varying depth quick, easy and relatively inexpensive. But be careful. Businesses in many states face legal limits on the extent and type of background checks they are allowed to conduct. A release may be required before you can conduct a check. But also know that a business can be held legally accountable for not performing certain types of background checks, such as a driving record for delivery people or the legitimacy of a professional license of some kind.

Since everyone looks good on paper, the need to research and confirm a potential employee's background has never been greater. You can check public resources online yourself at no cost, buy quickie reports for as little as $10 or use a more in-depth service for more money. These resources can help you get the job done.

• OPENonline - a national pre-employment screening and testing firm - just introduced a new online screening service geared to small business owners. Called SelectHire, this service puts all of the screening pieces in one place and lets biz owners perform checks with a few simple menu options. An inexpensive QuickCheck report feature instantly validates Social Security numbers, addresses and phone numbers and searches a national database of felony criminal convictions. Visit www.openonline.com or call (888) 381-5656.
  
  
• Absolute Backgrounds has a simple service that lets employers conduct legally compliant background checks on job applicants, including employment and driving history, criminal record, workers' comp reports, degree verification, abuse and neglect, credit reports, Social Security verification and other areas. A basic report is $23.50. Users range from single-employee businesses to larger companies. This is a Web-based point-and-click system that you can use 24/7. Some reports are instant, others take 72 hours. Visit the Web site at www.absolutehire.com or call (800) 943-2589.
  
  
• Castlebranch offers a full line of background checking services, including reports you can buy individually or as a package. A handy a la carte price list is available at the Web site. The "Statewide" price schedule shows which states release criminal records, how long they take to get and the cost (most are $35). Visit www.castlebranch.com or call (888) 723-4263.
  
  
• InfoLink Screening Services cites research from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce that employee dishonesty costs the average business two percent of gross sales. Reason enough, they say, to invest a few dollars in finding honest job applicants. According to InfoLink, small business owners who use background checks are most concerned about theft, violence, drug abuse, high turnover and low productivity. InfoLink performs legally compliant pre-employment background checks and offers a selection of other screening solutions, such as drug testing. There's an easy-to-use Web service that lets biz owners request a search, track progress and retrieve reports. Info at www.infolinkscreening.com or call (800) 990-HIRE.

• AmerUSA Employment Screening Services taps a network of some 3,000 researchers to perform background checks for small business owners and larger companies. Based in Largo, FL. Visit www.amerusa-employment-screening.com or call (727) 467-0908.
  
  
• LawCommerce is a handy legal Web site where you can download background check permission forms for prospective employees as well as consultants and independent contractors. Two versions, simple and comprehensive, are $25 each. At the Web site (www.lawcommerce.com), click on "Employment" under "Forms and Agreements" and then look in the "Workplace Policies & Forms" section.
  
  
• A few other employment screening firms that service small business owners include: VerifyIDs.com, ADP Screening and Selection Services (www.avert.com), BackgroundsUSA.com, ScreenStaff.com and Background Information Services, Inc. (www.bisi.com).