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While conducting screenings for contractors, there are some very important steps to follow to ensure these are Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) compliant background checks. Make sure your organization knows what is required…and then meets those expectations.
First enacted in 1970, the FCRA is comprehensive federal legislation to regulate the collection, dissemination, and use of consumer information, which is the information contained in a background check report. This legislation governs the process that your organization, called an end-user under the FCRA, and a screening partner, called a consumer reporting agency, must follow.
There are certain requirements that must be met during the screening to ensure compliance which, if not followed can cause operational and financial liabilities for your organization. This article will focus on some of these and why they are important for FCRA compliant background checks. NOTE – other obligations, certifications, and processes exist in the screening process.
When the information in a background check will create an adverse impact on the individual being screened, there is a prescribed process that must be followed to notify the contractor, advise them of their rights and provide them with an opportunity to dispute the findings in the report, before a final decision about them is made.
If prior steps in the process, such as the provision of the disclosure and obtaining the consent and authorization of the individual, have been completed, the notification of adverse action should not be a surprise to the individual. In some cases, however, this may be the first time an individual contractor realizes that a background check was run on them and that they are going to be impacted by the results.
This process is a deliberate step to ensure the contractor has a voice in the process and is aware of the information being used to make decisions about them. Further, if the information is incorrect or incomplete in any way, they have the opportunity to correct it, or work with the organization to correct it, before a final determination about them is conducted. Failure to complete this step in the process can be considered one of the most egregious errors when considering FCRA compliance.
As noted, these are not all the requirements or best practices for implementing FCRA compliant background checks but they are certainly among the most important. Failing to understand your role as a user of background checks, or neglecting to follow the requirements of that role, can be costly for your organization and create both financial and legal liability that can easily be avoided. It may seem easy but it continues to be remarkable how many organizations get this wrong and end up out of compliance with a process that really has not changed for over 50 years. Make sure your organization is not one of them!
Contents are provided for information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Users are reminded to seek legal counsel with respect to their obligations and use of PlusOne Solutions services.
About PlusOne Solutions
PlusOne Solutions has been an industry leader in the risk management field by specializing in compliance programs that meet the complex challenges of geographically dispersed contractors, vendors, and employee networks. PlusOne Solutions protects companies from possible financial, legal, and reputational risks associated with contractor and vendor relationships while creating safer work environments. To learn more, visit https://www.PlusOneSolutions.net.
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