Background checks are necessary for the workplace. The history of background checks in the workplace is crucial because it helps to ensure that employers are making safe and informed decisions about who they hire. By looking at a potential employee’s history, employers can get a better idea of whether or not that person is suited for the position. Keep reading to learn about the history of background checks in the workplace.
Background Checks
A background check is a process of verifying a person’s identity and the history of their criminal and civil records. They are often used by employers during the hiring process, by landlords before renting to a tenant, and by other organizations who work with the public. Background checks first originated in the early 1900s, when employers began conducting criminal record searches on potential employees. However, it was not until the late 1960s and early 1970s that employers routinely performed background checks on all job applicants.
This change was primarily due to the rise of the computer and the passage of several federal laws that made it easier for employers to obtain criminal records. Background checks have become an increasingly common part of the hiring process. A study conducted by The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) in 2014 found that 93 percent of organizations conduct some form of pre-employment screening, which includes conducting a criminal history check. Many companies use backgroundcheck.co for their background checking needs.
International Use of Background Checks
The use of background checks for international employment has been around for many years, but it was not always as common as it is today. In the early days, most employers would only conduct a background check if hiring someone for a significant position, such as a chief executive officer (CEO) or another high-ranking executive. However, in recent years, the use of background checks has become much more widespread and is now used by employers across all industries when hiring new employees.
There are several reasons why employers conduct background checks on potential employees from other countries. One reason is that conducting a background check can help to ensure that the employee is qualified for the job and does not have any criminal convictions that could impact their ability to do the job. Another reason is that many employers also believe that conducting a background check can help to protect them from potential lawsuits if something goes wrong with the employee after they have been hired.
How are background checks sourced?
Some standard methods of sourcing criminal background checks include state and federal criminal repositories, private databases, and social media sites. Most states have a statewide criminal repository housed within the state’s department of public safety or its equivalent. This repository contains statewide criminal records, including arrest records, booking photos, criminal charges, convictions, and incarceration information. Most criminal records within state repositories are sourced from law enforcement agencies that collect and maintain these records as part of their criminal justice responsibilities.
Criminal records can be an essential resource for criminal justice and law enforcement professionals and individuals researching their personal histories. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) maintains the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), a national criminal record database. The NCIC is accessible to law enforcement agencies and contains criminal records from federal, state, and local jurisdictions. Private databases are maintained by companies that specialize in providing criminal background checks. These databases typically have criminal records from various sources, including state and federal criminal repositories, private databases, and social media sites.
Social media sites are a source of criminal background checks for many employers. Many social media sites allow users to search for criminal records of other users. Additionally, many social media sites allow users to list their employment and education information. This information can be used to verify the accuracy of criminal background checks sourced from social media sites.