What Is the Difference Between a Background Check & a Criminal Background Check?

A background check is a process that employers use to evaluate potential employees, tenants, or other individuals who may have regular access to their property or personal information. A criminal background check is one type of background check that examines an individual’s criminal history and discloses any felony convictions.

There are several other types of background checks that employers can conduct. A criminal record check, also known as a criminal background check, allows an employer to investigate the past legal history of an applicant for potential employment. A criminal record check does not measure the likelihood that someone will commit a crime in the future or uncover old guilty verdicts unrelated to the job at hand. Instead, it helps employers identify applicants with a history of violence or illegal behavior that could pose risks in the workplace.

What Is A Background Check?

A background check investigates an individual’s past work experience, education, and personal references. Employers often require background checks for employees who work with confidential information, have access to customers or large sums of money, or work with minors. A routine background check results include an individual’s previous addresses, employment history, education, and references from previous employers and personal contacts. Depending on the type of job and the employer, a thorough background check might also include a criminal record check.

What Is A Criminal Background Check?

A criminal background check examines an individual’s criminal history and discloses felony convictions. A criminal record check does not measure the likelihood that someone will commit a crime in the future or uncover old guilty verdicts unrelated to the job at hand. Instead, it helps employers identify applicants with a history of violence or illegal behavior that could pose risks in the workplace. While some employers conduct both a criminal record check and a background check, the two are not the same. A background check is a broader assessment of an individual’s work experience, education, and personal references. On the other hand, a criminal record check focuses on what an individual has done.

Types Of Background Checks.

Employment background check– examines an applicant’s work history, education, and references from previous employers. An employment background check is often required for handling confidential information or large sums of money. An employment background check differs from a criminal record check in that it does not disclose an individual’s criminal history.

Tenant background– This check is a type of housing-related background check in which a landlord or property management company investigates the tenant’s history (often with the help of a third-party tenant screening company). A tenant background check looks for signs of financial instability, past evictions, and criminal history.

Criminal record check– an investigation into an individual’s past legal account. A criminal record check does not measure the likelihood that someone will commit a crime in the future or uncover old guilty verdicts unrelated to the job at hand. Instead, it helps employers identify applicants with a history of violence or illegal behavior that could pose risks in the workplace.

What Is An Employment Background Check?.

An employment background check examines an applicant’s work history, education, and references from previous employers. An employment background check is often required for handling confidential information or large sums of money.

What Is A Tenant Background Check?.

A tenant background check examines an applicant’s history with landlords and other creditors. A tenant background check is often required for individuals renting a home, apartment, or commercial property. A landlord may require a tenant background check to look for signs of financial instability, past evictions, and criminal history. Tenant screening companies will often provide landlords with a report that includes a person’s credit score, past evictions, and court judgments. Some landlords will refuse to do business with applicants with a significant financial problem history. Other landlords will take a softer approach and give applicants with a negative past a chance to start over by offering them an opportunity to pay off their past debts in monthly installments.

How To Run A Background Check.

An employer typically requires applicants to submit an application and complete an interview before receiving a job offer. After an employee has been hired, an employer may conduct a background check as a hiring exit procedure. A background check often includes a criminal record check, credit history, and education verification.

Conducting a background check can be as simple as ordering a report from a commercial background check company. Other employers will conduct the investigation in-house by asking an individual to provide documentation from the past, such as employment history or educational records. Before ordering a commercial, criminal record report, check with your state labor board to make sure it is permissible to conduct criminal background checks for employment. If your state allows it, you can purchase a report online from a commercial background check company or visit your local police station and request a report.

How To Run A Criminal Background Check.

Hire an outside company to do a criminal background check. Employers looking to conduct a criminal background check are advised to hire a third-party company to do the investigation. While many employers conduct criminal background checks themselves, it is illegal to do so in some states. In states where it is unlawful to conduct a criminal background check, employers must first receive written consent from the applicant. Have the applicant sign a release. Employers must first get written permission from the individual before running a criminal background check. This can be done by providing the applicant with a form that allows him to waive his privacy rights. You should always ask for written consent and keep a record of it.

Conclusion

Despite what you’ve heard, background checks are necessary for hiring in many industries. While it’s important to be conscientious about applicants’ privacy, protecting your employees, customers, and assets is also essential. A background check is often the best way to gauge a person’s relative risk in these areas. To conduct a thorough background check, it’s essential to ensure you’re looking at the correct type of report. A criminal record check will provide information on an individual’s past convictions, while a background check will provide more general information on work history, education, and personal references.

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