Sponsored content by Universal Background Screening.

By Alan Lasky – SVP Universal Background Screening

Universal Background Screening has seen a significant industry rise in both litigation and brand tarnishment due to the increasingly strict and ever-changing laws pertaining to employment background screening.  Not all background screening firms are alike in providing their clients compliance, quality and support, which is why it is important to choose the right background screening firm for your organization (whether as a preferred or required vendor).  

Below are some of the most important factors to consider when choosing the right background screening firm to help reduce your hiring risk and provide you with compliant searches, a focus on urgency and excellent customer/candidate support:

1) Choose a Nationally Accredited Firm – In an October 2019 report, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) reported a total of 1,954 background screening firms.  Out of these firms, only 125 firms (6%) are accredited with the Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA).  This accreditation is important as it provides increased assurance that the screening firm has committed to uphold and deliver the highest level of industry standards in the areas of security, compliance, client education and professional business practices.  Make sure your screening firm has the PBSA Accreditation.

2) Choose a Firm that Provides Quality/Compliant Searches – Not all background screening firms provide the same quality of search data.  Ask the firm you consider working with to provide you information on the “scope” of how many years back they review candidate information.  In addition, make sure they only provide information that is reportable by law (e.g., California reporting only 7 years of conviction-based information). It is very important to ask if the screening firm provides a Fuzzy/Boolean Logic process on their review of candidate court record data. This Boolean process is where the screening firm will look at the candidate’s potential first name variations (e.g., Mike and Michael, Kate and Katie, Alan and Allen) because all records are kept by first and last name as the primary identifier to pull potential records.  The Boolean logic process casts a wider safety net versus simply conducting an “exact name match” search, which may miss information.  Ask your screening firm if they are providing the Boolean logic process to you as a default in your search package.  Only use firms that can offer you this process to potentially catch more information, while also making sure they are providing all state and federal legally reportable information to protect your organization.   

3) Choose a Firm that is Recognized by the Government and Shows No Government Consumer Complaints on Their Tracker – The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) audits background screening firms and investigates and tracks concerns of screening firms and candidate complaints.  The CFPB has a complaint database with over 2.2 million candidate complaints.  By typing in a screening firm’s name, you can find out how many complaints they have received from candidates, including but not limited to, tracking improper use of data and reporting incorrect information.  Use this tool to select a screening firm with little or no complaints in the government’s database.  

4) Choose a Firm that Provides a Dedicated Customer Service and a Direct Support Team – With the high demand and limitations of the current candidate population over the past year, along with the urgent need to hire and start new candidates immediately, it is important to know the level of support provided by your screening firm.  Ask whether the firm has a dedicated Account Executive as your direct advocate, in addition to a full customer service team working nationwide (in your time zone).  Ask for references of similar franchise organizations that work with the screening firm and call those references, so that you have peace of mind that their customer service and compliance are excellent.  Make sure they are not outsourcing/right sourcing their services overseas. This can increase security risk and cause potential communication delays and issues if you are screening U.S.-based candidates.  

5) Choose a Screening Firm with a National Footprint and 24/7 Operations – Choose one that has strong experience in your industry, a sizeable staff (e.g., 300-500 employees) and has a physical location in your time zone.  Although much reporting can be conducted virtually, you still want to make sure your screening firm can be reached 7 days a week when you have important questions or concerns to discuss.  Ask the firm if they have a physical office in your time zone, how many internal (not outsourced) employees they have and their hours of operation.  When you need a screening firm in your fast-paced environment, the firm should be able to provide you with excellent support at any time you call.

Dr. Alan Lasky

Senior Vice President, Sales

Universal Background Screening, Inc.

Dr. Alan Lasky is a Senior Vice President with Universal Background Screening with 21 years of experience in consumer reporting, focusing on compliance and reducing risk for franchise organizations nationwide.