如果在 COVID-19 爆发之前出现人才短缺，那么其严重程度自那以后就翻了一番。对于雇主来说，为一份工作聘用最优秀的人的挑战已经意味着对成堆的申请进行分类。现在，空缺职位的竞争将更加激烈。 

您的背景调查过程能否经受得住压力？ 

暂停筛查的风险

一些雇主发现减少背景审查做法的想法具有诱人的前景，因为他们面临着尽快确保更多员工的需求。但是，需要考虑法律后果——例如，大流行并没有消除因招聘行为疏忽而导致索赔的风险。 

选择延迟筛查可能并不简单。如果您打算稍后对新员工进行背景调查，您必须获得他们的同意并提前告知他们您的意图。否则，您可能会因不公平或歧视性劳工行为而提起诉讼。 

筛查还重要吗？

答案是肯定的——而且不仅仅是考虑到在您的背景筛查实践暂时中止期间出现的法律问题。 

虽然您可以选择根据您发现的信息重新考虑接受或拒绝申请的方式，但筛查行为现在与大流行之前一样重要——事实上，它可能更加重要。随着失业人数激增和更多求职者重新进入市场，您遇到不合适的求职者的可能性只会增加。

为背景筛选过程的潜在影响做好准备

大多数支持身份验证和背景检查的电子系统都不受 COVID-19 的影响。但是，一些州和地方法院系统已暂时停止运作，以遵守社会疏远准则。这些系统在一段时间内不会反映任何更新的记录，并且由于法院已经关闭，因此无法直接搜索记录。 

在全国范围内，这个问题并不那么普遍：犯罪历史数据库继续运行并报告新的结果。当一些系统完全停机时，其他系统以降低的能力运行以继续提供服务。在订购背景调查之前，请查看您所在辖区的这些系统的状态。

为自己配备合适的工具

缩短招聘时间是许多雇主面临的紧迫问题，尤其是那些希望了解如何在锁定后经济中恢复运营的雇主。雇主不应减少背景调查要求或大幅改变程序，而应考虑采用更快捷、更易于使用的工具。 

在 GOOHO.CN，强大的资源（例如即时的 美国 OneSEARCH 和深入的县级背景调查）继续提供有效的结果。为自己配备工具，寻找合适的人来帮助您的企业渡过难关。 

Can your background checking process stand up to the strain? 

The Risks of Suspending Your Screening Practices

Some employers find the idea of curtailing background screening practices an enticing prospect as they face the need to secure more staff as soon as possible. However, there are legal ramifications to consider—for example, the pandemic has not eliminated the risks of exposure to claims related to negligent hiring practices. 

Opting to delay screening may not be straightforward. If you intend to background-check new employees later on, you must obtain their consent and inform them of your intent to do so ahead of time. Otherwise, you may risk a lawsuit alleging unfair or discriminatory labor practices. 

Is Screening Still Important?

The answer is yes—and not just in light of the legal complications that emerge during a temporary suspension of your background screening practices. 

While you may choose to reconsider how you accept or deny applications based on the information that you uncover, the act of screening is just as vital now as it was before the pandemic—in fact, it may be even more crucial. With unemployed numbers swelling and more job-seekers re-entering the market, the likelihood that you may encounter unsuitable applicants will only increase.

Prepare for Potential Impacts to Background Screening Processes

Most of the electronic systems supporting identity verification and background checking are unaffected by COVID-19. However, some state and local court systems have temporarily ceased operations to comply with social distancing guidelines. These systems will not reflect any updated records for some time, and direct record searches are unavailable as courts have closed. 

Nationally, the issue is not so widespread: criminal history databases continue to operate and report new results. While some systems are down entirely, others are operating at a reduced capacity to continue providing service. Before ordering a background check, review the status of these systems in your jurisdiction.

Equip Yourself with the Right Tools

Reducing time-to-hire is a pressing concern for many employers, especially those looking to understand how to restore their operations in a post-lockdown economy. Rather than reducing their background checking requirements or altering their procedures dramatically, employers should consider adopting swifter, more accessible tools. 

At backgroundchecks.com, robust resources such as the instant US OneSEARCH and in-depth county-level background checks continue to deliver effective results. Equip yourself with the tools for finding the right people to help your business weather the storm.