When it comes to hiring, background checks are one of the most important tools you have to protect your company, your team, and your reputation. But not all screening programs are created equal — and many employers unintentionally make mistakes that can slow down hiring, create compliance risks, or leave them with incomplete information.
Here are four of the most common background screening mistakes — and how you can avoid them.
1. Skipping Essential Checks
It can be tempting to cut costs by running fewer checks, but skipping key searches can leave you exposed to unnecessary risk. For example:
- Relying only on a national database search can miss records at the county level.
- Skipping employment or education verification can lead to hiring someone who misrepresented their qualifications.
How to Avoid It: Work with a screening partner who can help you identify the right mix of checks for your industry, job roles, and risk tolerance.
2. Ignoring FCRA Compliance
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) sets clear requirements for background checks — and violations can be expensive. In the past decade, employers and screening providers have paid over $174 million in class-action settlements related to improper disclosures.
How to Avoid It: Always provide candidates with a clear, standalone disclosure and separate authorization before running a background check. If you need to take adverse action, follow the pre-adverse and adverse action steps carefully.
3. Not Considering Turnaround Time
Hiring delays can cost your business top candidates. If your background check process is slow or manual, you risk losing great hires to faster-moving competitors.
How to Avoid It: Choose a provider that prioritizes speed without sacrificing accuracy. Use technology like Applicant Entry to streamline data collection and reduce back-and-forth with candidates.
4. Failing to Re-Screen Current Employees
Many employers only screen during the initial hiring process, but risks don’t stop after onboarding. Changes in an employee’s record could impact their eligibility for certain roles, especially in regulated industries.
How to Avoid It: Consider periodic re-screening or continuous monitoring for roles with high security, safety, or compliance requirements.
Avoiding these common background screening mistakes can make a big difference in protecting your business, safeguarding your team, and improving the overall hiring experience. By partnering with a trusted provider like SELECTiON.COM®, you gain the tools, expertise, and compliance support needed to make confident hiring decisions — both at the time of hire and throughout the employee lifecycle.
Disclosure
This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Employers should consult with their own legal counsel to ensure compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) guidelines, and all applicable state and local laws before implementing or modifying their background screening policies.