背景调查通过提供有关候选人的犯罪、就业和教育历史的信息来帮助组织管理招聘风险。正如有许多不同的背景调查产品和服务一样，也有许多服务提供商，每个服务提供商都有自己的搜索和传递背景信息的方法。在许多方面，谁执行您的背景调查与您执行何种背景调查同样重要。
由于背景调查活动受联邦和州法律的监管，并且对招聘过程产生重大影响，因此不建议仅使用任何背景调查提供商。这些只是仔细选择您的背景调查提供者的众多原因中的一部分：
您需要一个了解背景筛查复杂性的提供商，包括管理其使用方式的无数法律和法规。
您需要一个能够提供真实报告和建议并帮助您解决影响您的行业和组织的法规遵从性问题的合作伙伴。
您希望以符合您预算的价格进行高价值和高质量的背景调查。
不幸的是，一些背景调查提供者不符合可靠、有信誉和真实的背景筛选者的标准。更糟糕的是，许多公司的运作方式可能会使您的组织面临大量背景审查和招聘风险。这里有 10 种方法来判断您是否有糟糕的背景调查提供者。
1. 他们将自己宣传为成本最低的供应商
当您考虑彻底、全面的背景调查的附加值时，您就会知道价格不是唯一的变量。声称提供最便宜服务的供应商可能也会牺牲质量、透明度和信誉良好的公司提供的一系列其他好处。一些供应商甚至可能预先提供低成本，只是为了支付“数据输入和处理费用”以及未来的其他成本。
一个常见的陷阱是捆绑定价。一个产品包具有以一个价格提供许多筛选服务的吸引力，但它可能具有欺骗性。一些背景筛选提供商将通过减少需要进一步研究的搜索来缩小搜索参数并保持低价。这种方法无法提供您认为付出的价值。价格不应高于质量、服务或遵守适用法律。当您通过您选择的筛查服务付款时，您可以更全面地了解您所获得的内容。
2. 你唯一的互动是通过互联网
与任何供应商关系一样，沟通是关键。重要的是，您的背景调查提供商应提供有关新服务功能的大量更新，以及有关影响您的筛查计划的最佳实践和法律的信息。如果您的背景调查提供商除了主页上的一些常见问题解答之外没有提供专门的支持，没有单一联系人来支持您正在进行的筛查计划需求，并且没有定期与您联系以获取反馈、建议和其他更新，您错过了真正的合作伙伴关系。您应该获得更高水平的沟通和服务。
3. 他们从未建议对您现有的计划进行审查或审计
即使是最全面的背景筛查计划也需要不定期进行审查，以确保维持该计划的效率、合规性和生产力。如果您与背景调查提供商的关系纯粹是交易性的，那么您的提供商就很糟糕。您的提供者不应维持现状，而应对您现有的筛查计划进行定期或季度审查。这样做有助于识别可能的合规风险、需要改进的领域以及提高效率或自动化的机会。
4. 他们不提供有关法律变化的定期更新
一些联邦和州法律影响背景筛选以及背景信息的收集、存储和使用方式。因为一些法律会定期更改——“禁盒”、薪酬平等法和大麻合法化只是其中的几个例子——你的提供者应该定期向你传达这些变化。而且，如果您开始在新州招聘，您的背景调查提供商也应该在那里让您了解这些州的法律如何影响您现有的背景调查政策和做法。如果您没有收到有关您雇用员工的每个州的法律的定期更新，那么您的背景调查提供商可能会在您不知情的情况下进行不合规的背景调查。
使用此“RFP 评估记分卡”为背景筛选提供商创建一个成功的 RFP 流程>>
5. 他们会通知您 COVID-19 造成的延误
在当前的 COVID-19 大流行期间，许多法院、政府机构、学校和公司都关闭或经历了沟通延迟。在某些情况下，这些关闭导致更长的周转时间用于就业和教育验证、法庭搜查和其他犯罪记录搜索。如果您的背景调查提供者没有通知您他们在大流行期间遇到的任何延误，他们要么对影响当今背景调查行业的现实知之甚少，要么他们可能故意试图以糟糕或不可靠的方式进行背景调查来源。您可能会经历比平时更长的背景调查而没有任何解释，或者您可能会收到不完整的背景调查——这两种情况都可能使您的业务面临风险或导致招聘流程延迟。
6. 他们有糟糕的 BBB（更好的商业局）评论
正如 Glassdoor 可以成为候选人获取雇主信息的好地方一样，商业改善局 (BBB) 提供有关背景调查提供者的信息，以及来自客户的评级和评论。如果您搜索一家公司并看到平均一到两个评级星（而不是四到五），则有证据表明该组织有许多不满意的客户。BBB 网站还列出了每家公司的客户投诉数量。没有一家公司或客户是完美的，但如果您看到许多公司对您的背景调查公司的投诉，您应该了解人们对其他提供商的看法。
7. 他们在集体诉讼中被点名
在许多因非法背景审查行为而被罚款或制裁的组织背后，是背景调查提供者可能未能使用适当的披露、报告被禁止的信息或报告不准确的信息。如果您的背景调查提供商与集体诉讼有关，并且由于疏忽或违规行为而不得不支付罚款，那么您一直在与一个糟糕的背景调查提供商合作。
8.他们提供过时的技术自动化或根本没有
一些背景调查提供商以与多年前相同的方式进行背景调查，依赖于缓慢的沟通方法和手动流程。其他人可能会使用有限的技术，但不会采用新的升级来跟上背景筛选和客户期望的变化。如果您的供应商没有提供增强或改进现有流程的自动化技术，那么您就错失良机了。您应该受益于结合了最佳人工判断和技术的提供商的好处，以自动化关键背景检查流程并启用实时报告功能。
9. 他们不关心候选人的经历
如果您的背景调查提供者认为他们不负责改善应聘者的体验，而这仅仅是“人力资源部的工作”，那么您可能遇到了一个糟糕的提供者。背景调查过程是招聘和人才管理的关键部分，它应该支持良好的候选人体验。背景调查必须在可接受的时间内完成，而且这个过程不应该让候选人感到沮丧，以至于他们很想离开并在其他地方工作。具有移动集成、电子披露和易于交换背景信息的技术的无纸化药物筛选都可以改善候选人体验。如果您的提供商不提供这些服务，您应该寻找新的提供商。
10.他们不提供定制
与某些提供者可能希望您相信的相反，背景筛查并非“一刀切”。正如背景调查的类型因工作类别而异，甚至因行业而异，背景调查计划的目的和类型也因组织而异。如果您的提供商无法提供自定义选项并配置背景调查产品和服务以满足您的需求，您将从与可以提供的提供商合作中受益。
与您应得的背景调查提供商合作
背景审查对于有效的人才管理计划至关重要，您选择谁来进行背景调查很重要。以价格为代价牺牲质量、提供低劣服务和指导、或提供空洞承诺和过时技术的背景调查公司将无法帮助您建立高效且合规的背景调查计划。如果这些场景中的任何一个听起来很熟悉，那么是时候考虑您的选择并获得您需要和应得的背景调查提供者了。
Because background screening activities are regulated by federal and state law and have a critical impact on the hiring process, using just any background check provider is ill advised. These are just some of the many reasons to carefully select your background screening provider:
You need a provider who understands the complexities of background screening, including the myriad laws and regulations that govern how they’re used.
You need a partner that provides truthful reporting and advice and helps you navigate the regulatory compliance issues affecting your industry and organization.
You want great value and quality background checks at a price that fits your budget.
Unfortunately, some background check providers don’t meet the standard of a reliable, reputable, and truthful background screener. Even worse, many operate in a fashion that can expose your organization to numerous background screening and hiring risks. Here are 10 ways to tell if you have a bad background check provider.
1. They Promote Themselves as the Lowest-Cost Provider
When you consider the value-add of thorough, comprehensive background checks, you know that price is not the only variable. A provider that claims they offer the cheapest service probably also sacrifices on quality, transparency, and a range of other benefits that a reputable company provides. Some providers may even offer a low cost up front, only to tack on “data entry and processing fees” and other costs down the road.
A common trap is bundled pricing. A product bundle has the allure of many screening services for one price, but it can be deceiving. Some background screening providers will narrow search parameters and keep prices low by skimping on searches that would require further research. That approach doesn’t deliver the value you thought you were paying for. Price shouldn’t trump quality, service, or compliance with applicable laws. When you pay by the screening service you select, you have a more complete picture of exactly what you’re getting.
2. Your Only Interaction Is over the Internet
As with any provider relationship, communication is key. It is important that your background check provider offer ample updates about new service capabilities, as well as information about best practices and laws that impact your screening program. If your background check provider offers no dedicated support other than a few FAQs on their homepage, doesn’t have a single point of contact to support your ongoing screening program needs, and doesn’t check in with you regularly for feedback, advice, and other updates, you’re missing out on a real partnership. You should be getting a higher level of communication and service.
3. They’ve Never Recommended a Review or Audit of Your Existing Program
Even the most comprehensive background screening programs need an occasional review to make certain that the efficiency, compliance, and productivity of the program are maintained. If your relationship with your background check provider is purely transactional, you’ve got a bad provider. Instead of maintaining the status quo, your provider should conduct periodic or quarterly reviews of your existing screening program. Doing so helps to identify possible compliance risks, areas for improvement, and opportunities for greater efficiency or automation.
4. They Don’t Provide Regular Updates About Changing Laws
Several federal and state laws influence background screening and how background information is collected, stored, and used. Because some laws change regularly—“ban the box,” pay equity laws, and marijuana legalization are just a few examples—your provider should be communicating those changes to you on a regular basis. And, if you begin hiring in new states, your background check provider should also be there to let you know how laws in those states impact your existing background check policy and practices. If you’re not receiving regular updates about the laws in every state where you hire employees, your background check provider could be conducting noncompliant background checks without your even knowing it.
Use this "RFP Evaluation Scorecard” to create a winning RFP process for background screening providers >>
5. They Are Not Notifying You of Delays Caused by COVID-19
During the current COVID-19 pandemic, many courts, government agencies, schools, and companies are closed or have experienced communication delays. In some cases, these closures have led to longer turnaround times for employment and education verifications, court searches, and other criminal history searches. If your background check provider isn’t notifying you about any delays they’re experiencing during the pandemic, they’re either poorly informed about the realities affecting today’s background check industry, or they may be intentionally trying to conduct background checks with poor or unreliable sources. You could be experiencing longer-than-usual background checks with no explanation, or you could be receiving incomplete background checks—both of which can expose your business to risk or cause delays in your hiring process.
6. They Have Horrible BBB (Better Business Bureau) Reviews
Just as Glassdoor can be a great place for candidates to get information about employers, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) offers information about background check providers, as well as ratings and reviews from customers. If you search for a company and see an average of one or two rating stars (versus four or five), there’s evidence the organization has many unsatisfied customers. The BBB website also lists the number of customer complaints for each company. No company or customer is perfect, but if you see dozens of company complaints for your background check company, you should explore what people are saying about other providers.
7. They’ve Been Named in Class Action Lawsuits
Behind many organizations that have been fined or sanctioned for unlawful background screening practices are background check providers that may have failed to use proper disclosures, reported on prohibited information, or reported inaccurate information. If your background check provider was associated with a class action lawsuit and had to pay fines due to negligence or a compliance violation, you’ve been working with a bad background check provider.
8. They Offer Outdated Technology Automation or None at All
Some background check providers conduct background screening the same way they did years ago, relying on slow methods of communication and manual processes. Others may use limited technology but not incorporate new upgrades to keep step with changes in background screening and customer expectations. If your provider hasn’t offered automation technology that enhances or improves existing processes, you’re missing out. You should have the benefit of a provider that combines the best of human judgment and technology to automate key background check processes and enable real-time reporting capabilities.
9. They’re Not Concerned About the Candidate Experience
If your background check provider thinks they are not responsible for improving the candidate experience and that it’s solely “HR’s job,” you probably have a bad provider. The background check process is a critical part of hiring and talent management, and it should support a great candidate experience. Background checks must be completed in an acceptable period of time, and the process shouldn’t be so frustrating to candidates that they feel tempted to walk away and work somewhere else. Paperless drug screening with mobile integration, e-disclosures, and technology that makes it easy to exchange background information can all improve the candidate experience. If your provider doesn’t offer those services, you should look for a new provider.
10. They Offer No Customization
Contrary to what some providers might like you to believe, background screening is not “one size fits all.” Just as the type of background check can vary from job category to job category or even across industries, the purpose and type of background check programs also vary from one organization to another. If your provider can’t offer customization options and configure background check products and services to meet your needs, you’ll benefit from working with a provider who can.
Partner with the Background Check Provider You Deserve
Background screening is critical to an effective talent management program, and whom you choose to conduct background checks matters. A background check company that sacrifices quality for price, offers poor service and guidance, or delivers empty promises and outdated technology will fall short in helping you build an efficient and compliant background screening program. If any of these scenarios sound familiar, it’s time to consider your options and get the background check provider you need and deserve.
