The gig economy was going strong even before the pandemic and now, many are turning to freelancing as a means to make money from home. Freelancers are not considered employees and do not receive the same traditional protections, but employers largely have the same liability issues with these workers as with regular employees and should still consider conducting background screening while in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Typically those in government, finance, security, healthcare and those industries working with children, the elderly and people who have disabilities are likely to be screened before coming onboard. It is not necessary for a business to maintain a separate screening policy for freelancers, but developing a clear, concise and cost-effective background check is critical.
