Showing Posts In "Employment Screening News" Category

DCSA’s Identity Crisis, Congressional Scrutiny, and GAO’s Stark Warnings: Where Personnel Vetting Reform Stands

A congressional hearing highlighted ongoing challenges in reforming the federal personnel vetting system led by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA). Lawmakers and the U.S. Government Accountability Office warned that delays, unreliable schedules, and management issues threaten the rollout of the National Background Investigation Services platform, a core part of Trusted Workforce 2.0 reforms. […]

Beyond the CV: Why Conflict of Interest Screening Matters More Than Ever in Financial Services

Conflict-of-interest screening is becoming a key risk-management practice in financial services, going beyond traditional CV checks. Companies increasingly examine factors such as outside business interests, corporate affiliations, adverse media, and social media activity to identify undisclosed relationships that could affect decision-making. Rather than detecting wrongdoing, the goal is transparency so organizations can assess potential risks. […]

Uber in Hot Seat After Probe Finds Violent Offenders Were Cleared to Drive Passengers

An investigation reported that some drivers for Uber with past violent criminal convictions were approved to transport passengers in at least 22 U.S. states if their convictions were more than seven years old. While the company bans drivers with convictions for crimes such as murder, terrorism, sexual assault, or kidnapping, the probe found individuals with […]

EEOC and FTC Offer Joint Tips on Use of Employment Background Checks

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have released joint guidance on employment background checks. The guidance includes separate resources for employers and job applicants, outlining rights and responsibilities under federal law. Employers must obtain written permission before conducting background checks and avoid discriminatory practices. Applicants have the right […]

Thousands Brace for Fallout from Unreported LA County Criminal Convictions

A decades-long recordkeeping error in Los Angeles County left hundreds of thousands of criminal case outcomes unreported to California’s Department of Justice. About 464,000 arrest reports from 1980–2023 — including roughly 147,000 felony and 233,000 misdemeanor convictions — were missing from statewide databases. As the records are corrected, nearly 330,000 people may see their criminal […]

Conducting Criminal Background Checks? What the Phath Decision Means for Employers

What is the Phath v. Central Transport decision’s impact on employers conducting criminal background checks in Pennsylvania? The Criminal History Record Information Act (CHRIA) applies whenever an employer considers an applicant’s criminal history, regardless of how it was obtained. Employers must evaluate only job-related convictions, document decisions, and provide written notice if a hire is […]

Top-Rated Worker Sues Dental Staffing Firm Over Unseen Background Check

A top‑rated dental assistant, Melissa Helgerod, has filed a class‑action lawsuit against staffing company Cloud Dentistry after her account was suspended based on a background check report she never received. She alleges Cloud Dentistry violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) by taking adverse action without providing her with a copy of the report or […]

New California Laws 2026: Part 28 – Background Checks

California’s 2026 legislative session produced several new laws, including measures on background checks, labor standards, and AI chatbots. Part 28 of the New California Laws 2026 series identifies chapters such as SB‑160 on background checks and additional bills addressing employment units with regard to bargaining and public safety.

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Five Things Employers Need to Consider as Background Screening Shifts in 2026

Employers face evolving background screening challenges in 2026 due to AI use, rising fraud, and tighter regulations. AI can speed screening, but must be paired with human judgment. Rising sophisticated fraud means stronger checks are needed. One‑time pre‑hire screening is being replaced by ongoing monitoring, and digital identity verification is now an essential first step […]

School Background Checks are Law, But Educators Slip Through the Cracks, Audit Finds              

A January legislative audit found Maryland’s education department failed to make sure local school districts properly conducted required background screenings for employees who work with students, including criminal history and disciplinary checks. The review showed many districts did not verify applicants’ records or enroll staff in continuous monitoring programs, leaving gaps in child‑safety vetting. Auditors […]