State Laws Regulate the Use of Credit Information and Criminal Records for Employment Purposes

摘要

Conducting background checks on applicants and employees in connection with employment decisions has become a common practice for employers of all sizes. Obtaining background information about an individual can help an employer recognize dangerous propensities that could expose the employer to liability for negligent hiring or negligent retention, identify facts that render the individual unsuitable for a particular job, detect false information on an individual's employment application or resume, and assess the individual's character and trustworthiness. Many employers obtain background information from third-party vendors generically called consumer-reporting agencies. Others conduct their own background checks by directly contacting persons and institutions that have had personal contact with the individual in question.