BACKGROUND SCREENING NEWS MARCH 3RD, 2023

Here are some background screening news from today, March 28, 2023:

• The U.S. Department of Justice announced that it has reached a settlement with a background screening company that allegedly discriminated against job applicants based on their race and ethnicity. The settlement requires the company to pay $1.5 million in damages and to implement new policies to prevent discrimination.
• A study by the Society for Human Resource Management found that the use of background screening is on the rise among U.S. employers. The study found that 92% of employers use background screening at some point in the hiring process.
• A new report by the National Employment Law Project found that the use of background screening can have a negative impact on job seekers, particularly those from minority groups. The report found that background screening can lead to discrimination, job loss, and financial hardship.
• A new law in California prohibits employers from using criminal history records to screen job applicants for most positions. The law, which goes into effect in January 2024, is designed to give job applicants with criminal records a fair chance at employment.
• A new law in New York City prohibits employers from using credit history records to screen job applicants. The law, which goes into effect in May 2023, is designed to protect job applicants from discrimination based on their credit history.

These are just a few of the latest developments in background screening. As the use of background screening continues to grow, it is important for employers to be aware of the latest regulations and best practices.