Employer Services, Plus - F.A.Q.

Is there a nationwide check that covers all of the counties?
No. Not even the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has every county in the US linked to their system. There are national database searches that cover several counties in 47 states. For a list of these counties, see the Ultra Search section.

What does NCIC stand for and who is allowed to access it?
NCIC stands for National Crime Information Center and only government officials with the "need to know" have the right to access it's information.

Why Should I Pre-Screen?
Employers have become painfully aware of the tremendous consequences of bad hiring decisions. Pre-screening promotes a safe and profitable workplace. Pre-employment screening is an effective risk management tool that has been proven to significantly reduce the risk of a bad hire. Employers typically engage in pre-employment screening for several reasons:

You want to reduce the risk of hiring individuals with a history
of theft, violence, drugs, sexual harassment, and other problems
associated with today's workplace

Knowledge is power. Whether you react to the information or
not, you are able to make informed decisions that will protect
you from the liabilities of Negligent Hiring and Retention.

To discourage applicants with something to hide--just having a pre-screening program discourages job applicants with a criminal background or falsified credentials.

To eliminate uncertainty in the hiring process--many employers have discovered the hard way that relying on instinct alone is not enough. Hard information is also an important part of the hiring process.

To demonstrate Due Diligence--all employers have a reasonable duty of care in the hiring process. That means an employer must take reasonable steps to determine whether an employee is fit for a particular job. For example, an employer who hires a bus driver and does not take reasonable efforts to determine if the bus driver has a criminal record, could be found liable if that driver assaults a passenger, and a reasonable background check would have discovered the prior assaults.

To encourage honesty in the application and interview process--Employers find that just having a background program will encourage applicants to be more forthcoming about their history.

Because your competitors are.

What information can I get?
Criminal History
Workers Compensation Claims Filed
Driving History
Sex Offender Registry
Credit Reports
Social Security Number Verification
Previous Addresses
Previous Employer Verification
License Verification
Educational Verification

How long does it take?
Usually results are returned within one to two business days
Performing background screenings is certainly not a guarantee that every bad applicant will be discovered. For the prices charged by pre-screening firms, employers cannot expect an in-depth and exhaustive FBI type investigation. However, just engaging in screening program demonstrates due diligence and provides an employer with a great deal of legal protection.
It is also important to understand that a pre-screening program is aimed at how a person has performed in the public aspect of their lives. Items such as a criminal records or previous job performance reflect how a person behaved towards others, or discharged their obligations or responsibilities. Screening is NOT an invasion of privacy, a sign of mistrust or an act of "Big Brother."