Featured Research: The Benefits of Choosing a PBSA Member as a Background Screening Partner

In a time of unprecedented disruption, businesses are forced to adapt. With the ongoing coronavirus pandemic altering much of how we conduct business, many employers are planning ahead to be prepared for a return to normal operations, including how to find the best candidates amongst the flood of people in search of employment. As such, employers are rightfully searching for the best background screening partners to help manage the global workforce. As human resource professionals in the U.S. and across the world navigate through uncharted waters to maximize human potential, working alongside background screeners with proven expertise, expanded networks and international capabilities is critical to build engaged and productive workforces.

To gauge employers’ views on background checks and their importance in today’s economy, The Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA) partnered with HR.com to conduct an international survey of 1,161 HR professionals. The results were clear: background screening is almost universal among employers, they rely on background checks to make informed hiring decisions and they value screening partners that have international reach. 

It’s no secret that for your organization to operate at its best, you have to hire the right people. Background screening is essential to that mission, and according to the Hr.com survey, 94% of employers conduct one or more types of employment background screening. There’s no question that employers use background checks to help them find the ideal candidate, the question is – are employers using the best background screeners available to them? 

PBSA recognizes that continuing education is critical for background screeners to operate seamlessly in the ever-changing regulatory environment and increasingly global economy, which is why It provides its members with invaluable news, resources, connections and educational opportunities. To keep your business safe, PBSA also ensures that its members have the resources they need to remain compliant with the strict regulations set forth by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) as well as privacy and consumer protection laws. As our economy becomes increasingly global, employers need to have confidence that their background screening partners prioritize excellence and have the tools and connections to keep their business engaged in the latest industry trends. By working with a PBSA member, that peace of mind comes easy. 

Despite near-universal usage, employers still see ways the background screening process could be improved. Employers reported that the length of time to get results is the most significant challenge they face when it comes to background screening. Further, 96% of employers said the accuracy of results is important. PBSA members are part of a network working tirelessly to help improve the efficiency and accuracy of background checks. 

For example, the accuracy and timeliness of any background check depends on access to personal identifiers such as complete name and complete date of birth (DOB). However, the federal record keeping system known as Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) systematically redacts personal identifiers from records, leading to unnecessary delays in the hiring process, which harms employers and jobseekers alike. Some local courts are redacting this information, too.

Understanding the priorities and needs of employers, PBSA went to work to enhance industry capabilities. PBSA is actively working with the best government relations professionals in the country to remedy these issues with PACER and local courts. PBSA is also tackling another need – one for electronic access to public records, recently partnering with the Consumer Data Industry Association (CDIA) to release the Public Access Software Specification for Court Records guidelines. These guidelines encourage and help local, state and federal court administrators to implement software that improves the quality of public records, thus improving the timeliness and accuracy of background checks.

This survey shows that employers, too, value international screening capabilities, even if they don’t have international operations. The vast majority (85%) of employers think access to international screening is important, with 57% saying international screening is important to their organization directly. PBSA is the only international association of its kind. Its members are part of a global network of background screeners, allowing them to easily meet international screening needs for their clients and stay on top of regulations around the world that can impact their clients’ businesses.

With employers starting the long process of returning to normal, there’s no question that HR professionals across the world need to work alongside the best background screeners to create engaged and inspired workforces. The real question is – Is your background screening partner a PBSA member?