Refreshing Your Hiring Process: Key Background Screening Updates for Spring!

Punxsutawney Phil may have seen his shadow, but baseball is back and I've seen glimpses of sunshine here in Cleveland - so as far as I'm concerned, Spring is almost here!

As spring approaches, it’s the perfect time to dust off your HR processes and sweep away outdated background screening practices. Just like clearing out clutter in your home, take a fresh look at your policies and evaluate what you really need—are your current screening procedures thorough and compliant, or are you holding onto outdated methods that no longer serve your hiring goals? Now is the time to refresh your approach, weed out inefficiencies, and plant the seeds for a more effective, streamlined process. A little “spring cleaning” now can ensure your organization is blooming with top talent all year long!

February Background Screening Updates: What You Need to Know

As we move through February, staying up to date with the latest background screening developments is essential for maintaining compliance, reducing risk, and streamlining hiring processes. Here are some key updates and trends to keep on your radar this month:

1. Evolving Compliance Regulations

Legislative changes continue to impact background screening practices at the federal, state, and local levels. Ban-the-box laws, fair chance hiring updates, and data privacy regulations are shifting, making it crucial for employers to review their screening policies to ensure compliance. Stay informed on any new restrictions regarding criminal history inquiries and disclosure requirements in your hiring locations.

2. Continuous Monitoring on the Rise

More companies are recognizing the value of post-hire background checks through continuous monitoring. This approach helps employers stay informed about any new criminal activity or compliance concerns among current employees, reducing workplace risks. If you haven’t already, now may be the time to explore how continuous monitoring could enhance your screening strategy.

3. AI and Automation in Screening

The use of AI-driven tools in background screening is increasing, offering more efficiency in verifying candidate information. However, compliance concerns remain, particularly regarding bias in automated decision-making. Companies should ensure that any AI-based screening solutions align with Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) regulations and ethical hiring practices.

4. Drug Testing Trends Shifting

With marijuana laws evolving across various states, employers are reassessing their drug testing policies. Some companies are removing pre-employment screening for cannabis to align with changing laws, while others are implementing new guidelines to maintain safety and compliance. February is a great time to revisit your organization's stance on drug testing and update policies accordingly.

5. The Importance of Re-Screening

Hiring the right candidate is only part of the equation—ensuring they remain compliant and fit for the role is just as critical. Many industries, especially those handling sensitive data or working with vulnerable populations, are increasing the frequency of re-screening employees to mitigate ongoing risks. Consider whether a periodic background check policy could strengthen your organization’s compliance and safety efforts.

Six Sigma Process Walk

Accurate Background 's process walk is a great way to start your HR technology "spring cleaning".

Uncover inefficiencies, discover bottlenecks, and eliminate roadblocks in your background screening and onboarding processes with Accurate’s certified Six Sigma process walk. Find cost savings and more effectively recruit top talent through improved time-to-hire, better candidate experience, and overall internal labor savings.

If you have been with your current screening provider for a long time (3+ years), we recommend taking advantage of this FREE services with one of our Six Sigma Certified Solutions Consultants.

What does a process walk entail?

?Uncover inefficiencies in an organizations program

?Ensure we give each client all of the best options we can offer to add efficiency to their process

?Help organizations achieve cost-savings through: Improved time-to-hire; Better candidate experience; and Overall labor savings

After the process walk, we will provide you with a report of our findings and any recommendations will be shared following the meeting.

Exciting update: Accurate has been named G2's Leader for Enterprise Background and Drug Screening!

We're thrilled to share that Accurate is ranked #1 in the Enterprise Background Check and Enterprise Drug Testing categories on G2. Some of the world's largest and most complex companies recognized that at Accurate its not only what we do, but how we do it. Its just better. We appreciate you and value your reviews of Accurate Background on G2. Take a moment to post your review to help organizations choose a background screening vendor.

Drug and Health Screening Solutions - Clinic Scheduler and Fulfillment Platform

Most clients that have been migrated to the new clinic scheduler are taking advantage of our expanded network and use of more convenient testing locations. Use of the selfservice features have resulted in improvements in turnaround times.

Check out this video for more information on our advanced scheduling tool! Drug & Health Screening — Accurate Background

Stay Informed - Save this link for updated Court Closures and Delays!

Background screening delays can happen for several reasons - DOB redactions or county technology issues seem to be the most common. At Accurate Background we're all about transparency. Check out this link for more information on current delays and updates: Court Closures and Delays – Customer Communication Portal

Cleveland SHRM Virtual Learning Event: The AI Era: Hiring Great Humans in an Automated World

I am hosting this Cleveland SHRM virtual event on March 11th, and hope you can join us! Secure your spot here: https://www.clevelandshrm.com/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1928973&group=

Event Overview:

?Discover how to navigate the evolving landscape of recruitment in the age of AI. This webinar explores the tools candidates use to enhance resumes, cover letters, and interview preparation while equipping hiring professionals with strategies to design application processes that reveal candidates' authentic skills, values, and potential. Learn how to assess AI-enhanced applications effectively, balance innovation with fairness, and ensure diversity and inclusion remain at the forefront. Join us to build hiring processes that embrace AI without compromising the human touch or equitable opportunities.

?Learning Objectives:

• Practical Tools to Identify Authenticity -?Attendees will learn how to craft application questions and evaluation criteria that reveal candidates’ unique qualities, even in AI-enhanced applications.
• How to Reframe Concerns About AI -?Gain clarity on whether AI use by candidates is a problem and strategies for balancing innovation with fair assessments.
• Frameworks for Fair and Inclusive Hiring -?Develop processes that align with your organization’s values, encourage authenticity, and ensure candidates aren’t penalized for using technology.
• The Future of AI in Recruitment -?Understand how to embrace AI tools without sacrificing the human elements of hiring, fostering an inclusive process that benefits both companies and candidates.?

Event Information: March 11, 2025? ?1:00-2:00 PM

Where: Virtual

Cost: Members: $10 Nonmembers: $25

On a personal note....

I just returned home from a few days in St. Pete Beach, Florida. We had a couple days where we were wrapped up in blankets on the beach, but the sunshine felt so good! I'm so ready for winter in Cleveland to be over!