“Change is the only constant in life.” Those words of the Greek philosopher Heraclitus still hold a powerful truth for the business owners and human resource professionals of today.
To keep up with the hectic pace and ever-evolving business environment, it’s important to see what the industry experts are identifying as key trends. The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) recently highlighted two important trends:
- Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) lawsuits will continue
- The screening needs for contingent workers will grow
FCRA lawsuits
For technical violations – such as failure to get written permission before running a background check or to provide notice to applicants in a stand-alone format – employers faced numerous class-action lawsuits in 2017.
The Supreme Court decided in Spokeo v. Robins that plaintiffs must prove “concrete injury” in class-action lawsuits. However, sending the case back to the appellate court caused confusion in the lower courts.
In a recent SHRM article, Executive Director of the National Association of Professional Background Screeners Melissa Sorenson said, “Lower courts have continued to allow plaintiffs access to federal courts with a simple allegation of bare procedural violation or technical inaccuracy, resulting in forum-shopping by plaintiffs for the court most likely to rule in their favor.”
The Supreme Court will consider the Spokeo case again later this year after the Ninth Circuit found that the plaintiff did have a standing to use. However the Court decides, industry experts urge vigilance and commitment to complying with the entire FCRA.
Signet Screening helps our clients stay FCRA compliant through our automated pre-adverse and adverse email notification system. With a few simple steps, you can easily send FCRA-compliant correspondence that’s stored in our system for future reference and use. For a demonstration on how our automated service can help your company, please contact us.
Contingent workers screening
The contingent, on-demand workforce continues to grow at a rapid pace. Almost 4 out of 5 employers use freelancers, temporary contractors or independent contractors, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Even though they aren’t part of your permanent workforce, your company potentially faces the same liability issues. That’s why even though it takes additional time, pre-employment screening is still essential.
To avoid allegations of unequal treatment and protection from litigation, have your contingent workers go through the same screening as regular employees. At Signet Screening, we understand the rigorous demands of your hiring process, and we ensure a smooth screening process from start to finish.
“We’re dedicated to providing accurate, timely, FCRA-compliant information that meet your timelines, so you can make the best, most informed hiring decisions,” says Signet Screening President Matt Messersmith.
To get the right information at the right time, contact the Signet team to see how we can partner with you for even better hiring results.
