Do we have to get permission to run a background check?

Answer from Jenny, SPHR, SHRM-SCP: The short answer is yes: the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires you to get permission from your applicant or employee before conducting a background check. Aside from this legal requirement, telling applicants what to expect...

Background Check Basics for Small Businesses

The average cost-per-hire is $4,129, while the average time it takes to fill a given position is 42 days, according to the Society for Human Resource Management.  Making a hiring mistake can be an expensive proposition for a small to midsize business. One way to lower...