We’ve endured the delta variant and now we’re in the middle of omicron; there’s no telling how many more mutations we’ll have to endure before we can declare the end of the COVID pandemic. Meanwhile, life limps along. Your business still needs to hire people to get the work done, but “normal” hiring practices like interviewing candidates in person are decidedly a thing of the past. Background checks have never been more important than they are now when so much business is conducted virtually. At the same time, background checks are struggling; staffing shortages at courthouses, universities, and other places are limiting the ability to obtain critical information.
Getting folks back to work is essential, as are background checks. Using a professional screening vendor for background check services remains the best option for obtaining thorough, reliable background information that can be relied on for making safe and smart hiring decisions. The following is a brief look at the impact of COVID and its many iterations are having on background screens for employment:
Closures and Staffing Shortages
Shelter-in-place orders and staffing shortages are impacting background checks and causing some delays.
- Court records – Many court records are digitized and are unaffected by closures or staffing shortages. However, there are still counties in the US that require human interaction to access records. Professional background check vendors have relationships with these locations and are often still able to obtain the necessary info via phone, fax, or email, albeit with slower turnaround times than pre-pandemic. Some locations are closed and records are unavailable. Make sure to speak with your background check provider about court closures.
- Motor vehicle reports – DMVs are experiencing similar delays, though most information is available digitally.
- Drug testing – Work with your screening provider to find labs that are open for business. Candidates will likely need to schedule times as many labs are no longer offering walk-in services.
- Employment and education verifications – Most educational institutions are members of the National Student Clearinghouse database, meaning that records are available online. For institutions that are not members of this database, you may experience some delays.
- Global checks – International background checks always take longer than domestic checks, and the same holds true during the pandemic and delays may even be longer.
Options in the Face of Delays
It’s important to explore options with legal counsel, especially if you are in a regulated industry that requires background screenings. Unregulated businesses are turning to provisional hiring. Provisional hiring allows employers to hire and onboard applicants before the background check is complete with the understanding that the screening will be completed when possible. Most background check providers hold the screening request until it can be completed. A provisional hiring program requires a plan for how to handle cases where the background check reveals exclusionary information after the employee has already started working. FCRA rules and regulations will still apply, so it’s critical to have a plan.
Regulated businesses or those with contractual obligations to screen employees are seeking guidance from their legal counsel as well as relevant regulatory agencies for advice on how to proceed during extraordinary circumstances.
It’s also wise to add an addendum to your background screening policy describing how your program is modified during the pandemic. Transparency is key.
The Value of Professional Screening Services
Having a professional screening partner is more critical than ever. If anyone can get the background info you need for safe hires, it’s a skilled team of professionals. Protect your business today with the help of reliable background checks.
