July 2023 Summaries

Checkr has recently released several updates to its platform, including enhanced background check capabilities, improved I-9 employment eligibility verification, and simplified onboarding processes. The company's Global Watchlist is now available as a standalone search and add-on for packages, allowing healthcare organizations to fulfill OIG and SAM search requirements. Additionally, Checkr has introduced new features such as faster employment verification, customizable document review collection options, and self-service ordering capabilities that streamline the background check process. These updates aim to improve the candidate experience and provide more flexibility and efficiency for employers.

Checkr's Compliance Insights Video Series offers background screening topics for review, with a focus on adjudication in the context of background checks. Heather Zacharia, Senior Compliance Counsel at Checkr, provides an overview of the process of adjudication when reviewing screening results, emphasizing the importance of individualized assessment. The video is designed to be informative and helpful, but companies should consult their own legal counsel about their compliance responsibilities under the FCRA and applicable state and local laws.

Checkr is a supporter of Clean Slate laws, which require courts to automatically remove eligible records from a person's criminal history after they have completed their sentence and gone a set period of time without reoffending. This legislation has been implemented in several US states, including Michigan and California, but its impact on screenings has varied across each state due to existing technology and resources. The implementation of Clean Slate laws can be disruptive, causing delays in processing background check reports as courts temporarily become inaccessible to manually identify eligible cases for expungement. Checkr is preparing for the implementation by evolving their product to create solutions for court closures and limited access to data, including features such as Skip Inaccessible States and Counties and Follow-Up Reports.

Taskrabbit, a global digital platform connecting people seeking help with household tasks to skilled Taskers, has chosen Checkr as its background check provider due to the vendor's features, cost savings and operational efficiencies. The company's Policy Manager for Registration and Onboarding, Sidra Khan, was impressed by Checkr's Assess product, which automates manual processes, reduces SSN exceptions, and increases turnaround time accuracy. By partnering with Checkr, Taskrabbit aims to create a safer platform for clients and Taskers while streamlining its onboarding process and reducing operational workloads.

Retail hiring is expected to be challenging in 2023, with nearly three-fourths of retailers anticipating worker shortages in-store and 56% expecting shortages in warehouse roles. Retailers are competing with gig economy employers for talent, particularly among younger candidates who value flexibility and work-life balance. To attract a wider range of job candidates, retailers can promote their commitment to diversity and inclusion, partner with organizations serving underrepresented populations, and use fair chance hiring policies. Creating a great candidate experience through transparency, respect for candidates' time, and personalized interactions is also crucial. Investing in employee development programs, such as skills training and clear career paths, can help retain existing employees and attract new ones. Finally, leveraging technology to streamline the hiring process, including automation of background checks, can accelerate retail hiring.