Criminal Background Checks

In this Cisive Product Highlight series, we review key tools to consider when screening your workforce, as well as top benefits and features when ordering them through Cisive and our family of brands. 

The COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed a significant shift in the professional landscape, ushering in the era of remote work. Driven by the need for social distancing and the potential for increased productivity and employee satisfaction, organizations across the globe have adapted to this new paradigm.  

Top three takeaways: 

The City of Chicago recently made amendments to its existing 2015 ban-the-box ordinance. It took effect at the end of April 2023 and expands coverage to almost all Chicago employers.

Many updates bring the ordinance in close alignment with the Illinois Human Rights Act (IHRA). The ordinance:

You’ve seen this show before. The Detective walks into the open floor plan office shouting “I need everything you’ve got on [insert name here] NOW!” The Smart Tech Guru types a quick prompt into their computer and within 10 seconds, up on the seven-monitor display, is the entire life of their target neatly laid out. It includes their financial, criminal, and civil history, and maybe even some juicy details about the circumstances surrounding their most recent divorce or what they like to eat for lunch.

How far back should you search criminal backgrounds for your applicants and employees? What are the restrictions in place? Should you search a different length for different job positions? 

Understanding the reporting period of your criminal background checks can be confusing. There is a patchwork of federal and state laws that limit how far back you can search in your background check.

Happy New Year!

Another year is in the books. Continued challenges face the healthcare industry, including a nursing shortage fueled by high burnout and turnover, hybrid workforces, inequities in access to care, and of course COVID-19.

Traditionally, the background check process is performed in tandem with skills assessments and final interviews during the hiring process. However, in 2021, about 19% of organizations conducted post-hire background checks, according to survey data from the Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA). That's up from 12% in 2020.

Millions of Americans have changed or quit their jobs in recent years, leading to a movement now known as the “Great Resignation.” Over 38 million U.S. workers quit their jobs in 2021, and about 20 million quit in the first five months of 2022.

Running an employment background check is an integral part of the hiring process. A quick turnaround time on these checks is vital to a smooth onboarding process for your candidates and your organization.

What can you do to help speed up the time it takes to receive your completed results? And what should you consider if it’s taking longer than you expected?

What affects turnaround time?

When Placing an Order

Missing or incomplete information is the primary cause of a delayed background check when placing the order.

While employers are evaluating background screening services or making policy decisions about employment background checks, there are multiple references to “seven years.” This can create confusion for employers using background checks in hiring, as not all background checks are created equal. Depending on the context, this common window of time may refer to: