Many individuals and businesses are running background checks as a part of their due diligence but a part of the process is having the individual that you are running the check on give you background check authorization. Background check authorization is an important part of the process and without it, you cannot move forward without it. More and more states are enacting background check and credit privacy laws, which require or strongly suggest the use of background check authorization forms.
Get that Background Check Authorization
A background check authorization is a form that will allow you to knowingly and legally check into the background of a specific individual. You will be able to give the person a simple piece of paper that will give you, either an individual or your business, permission to look into their background. The form is short and simple and all you need is a signature and then you can move forward.
There are not background check authorization laws, but it is a good idea to protect yourself by having an individual sign this document so that there are not any issues later. Even when you have a background check authorization form, you need to remember that you are not allowed to judge a person by their credit scores. You are allowed to deny employment based on criminal records, but there are credit check laws that keep people from being discriminated against for employment where their credit score is concerned.
If you do not have a background check authorization policy in place currently, you should definitely find a form online and then print it out so that it can be used in the future. It is a great way to protect yourself, as well as let the people that you work with, know that their ability to be hired or rent a property is dependent upon them having a clean background. Many times you will be able to weed out the people with criminal records simply by telling them that they need to submit to a background check.
Background check authorization isn’t required in all states right now, but it is likely something that will be mandatory in the future. It is a good idea to start requiring a background check authorization form be filled in now so that when the laws are enacted you won’t have to change how you are currently do things because you already have your bases covered. Using a background check authorization just makes sense because it makes sure that the applicant knows that their background is being looked into so that there is no question later about your intent or your hiring practices.
