Many background screening agencies love to brag about speedy turn-around times. After all, that is one of the top concerns of Human Resource Professionals and Recruiters. Pending reports can hold job offers in limbo waiting for the results of the background check. In response, screening companies throw around terms like “same day”,”24 Hours” and most of all “INSTANT!” But is an instant background check realistic? Or does speed sacrifice the safeguards of The Fair Credit Reporting Act, therefore putting the employer and the applicant at risk?
Here’s a very straightforward chart of what employers can expect from a reputable background screening company in terms of Average Turn Around Times vs Best Case Scenario Turn Around Times vs Consumer Beware. (“Consumer Beware” means unrealistic in terms of completing an authentic search within the timeframe shown.)
