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Operating Remotely

The pandemic forced us all to develop new ways of operating. For Backgrounds Online, that meant mobilizing a remote workforce to ensure our clients received uninterrupted service. We also had to establish alternate methods to obtain data as courts, businesses and educational facilities closed.

Our team created processes that enabled us to continue providing background checks quickly. In some cases, it was not possible to get records we needed right away. When this happened, we communicated the status of each order and allowed employers to view background checks even if a component or two were incomplete. That empowered our clients to make critical decisions and, as needed, inform candidates that their hiring was contingent on the final results from their background check.

Marijuana Legalization

Many states passed bills that legalized medical or recreational marijuana usage. Most are unlikely to affect employers. However, everyone involved in the hiring process should be aware of relevant laws when they review and update their drug screening policies.

To help, we’ve posted blog and State Law entries. Visit our site regularly for educational resources about marijuana-related bills that are in effect where you operate. We recommend consulting with legal counsel to ensure you are compliant with applicable laws.

The Second Chance Movement

In 2020, numerous bills were passed to help people with certain types of criminal records find employment. Among them were Ban the Box laws that prohibit employers from specific actions such as asking about an applicant’s criminal history on applications or before an interview.

Another common type of second chance law involves developing methods for people to expunge minor, outdated arrest and criminal records. Millions of Americans with records have difficulty finding work and other necessities of life. By allowing people to expunge eligible records, many states are helping residents obtain jobs and avoid recidivism.

These laws will be even more impactful as people look for jobs in 2021. Backgrounds Online writes blog entries about new and upcoming second chance bills. They are for educational purposes only. Please consult with legal counsel to make sure you are compliant with relevant laws.

The Fight Against Wage Discrimination

A topic we’ve seen covered in various bills from 2020 involves preventing wage discrimination based on gender or other protected factors. This typically includes prohibiting hiring managers from asking candidates what they earn currently or using a person’s salary history to determine how much to offer.

Organizations are asked to pay comparable salaries for comparable work done under comparable circumstances. The goal is simply to help ensure fair wages for everyone.

Hiring In 2021

It was a rough year. We hope you continued to prosper and grow throughout 2020.

As we look forward to 2021, we hope to see more businesses getting back to normal operations and building up their teams for continued success. When you bring on employees, comprehensive background checks are an important part of the process. They help you make informed decisions, maintain safe workplaces and demonstrate due diligence.

Contact Backgrounds Online for custom screening packages, information about laws and best practices and solutions to your hiring challenges. We are available Monday through Friday from 5am to 6pm PT.