The number one question when it comes to  requesting an employee background check for employers is, how long will it take?

There is no universal time frame or straight forward answer for receiving employment background check results. The truth is, it depends. The overall turnaround time is subject to the thoroughness of the background search or searches you are requesting. Majority of the delays that take place are outside of the screening party’s control. However, there are some steps employers and candidates can take to help expedite the process and ensure that time is saved where it can be. Additionally, understanding the different searches and what their processes entail will give you an understanding as to why results are subject to delay.

Possible Delays:

Criminal Record Checks– Time frames for criminal checks vary significantly. If you are depending on a National Criminal Search which is a broad data base search across many different jurisdictional locations then the results can be instant if no record is populated and the name is not extremely common. If the search is more thorough, by using a Criminal County Check, more time is needed. County checks require a researcher to physically visit the applicable courthouse and pull the relevant case files. With Holiday closures, clerk assisted courthouses, and the courthouses that are not visited daily, delays can occur.

Employment Verification– This kind of check requires a screening company to personally call and verify employment. Typically, the Human Resources Department is the point of contact and with cooperation, this check can typically be completed within 24-72 hours. Delays can arise when previous employers are difficult to get ahold of.

Education Verification– This check involves directly contacting diverse schools and universities to verify declared degrees or accomplishments within academics. The counseling offices are typically the point of contact and take 24-72 hours to receive a confirmed report. Due to school hours, along with staff significantly decreasing in summer months and during breaks, a lag can occur.

Motor Vehicle Records- MVR requests are determinant on which state the search falls within. Majority of the states populate data instantly, with the exception of Pennsylvania, Hawaii, Alaska, and Oregon.

FCRA Compliance– Companies like Origin always stay in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) who mandates candidates right to dispute any incorrect or incomplete information reported. Although this right is required for applicant’s protection, it can slow down the overall turnaround time.

Some Helpful Tips to Inform Candidates:

• Gather Applicable information– During the hiring process it is standard to retrieve critical personal information such as, former residencies, former employers, dates of former employment, and types of educational degrees. Staying organized throughout this process is key, along with actively trying to avoid extra processes that are not necessary.
• Discourage Lying– The unveiling of unfavorable information may probe candidates to lie to seem more appealing to hire. Lying on personal information such as previous employers, educational achievements, or criminal records, only slows down the process and reduce one’s chances of getting hired.
• Teamwork is Key- When candidates work in unison with screening providers, the turnaround process can be decreased significantly. For instance, when checking candidate’s professional references, it is beneficial for the reference to be given a notice by the candidate. That way, when screening companies call to verify employment or research a reference, the contact is aware and can respond in a timely manner.

Origin Saves you Time

Although the overall turnaround time for receiving background check results depends on the depth of the searches you are looking for, these helpful tips can save time. Along with informing your candidates about these tips, Origin has structured the background screening process to a pass or fail grading scale structure. Meaning, you can assign weight to the categories that mean the most to you and less weight to those you find less important. For instance, if you do not wish to see any misdemeanors such as traffic violations, then those can be over looked. Additionally, if you are in a safety sensitive sector and do not wish to hire someone with a dense criminal record, the report can show an automatic fail. By having Origin do the tedious work, you will save time and hire the employees you are searching for. This grading system leaves the extensive analyzing process to the experts and allows you to make executive decisions based off your desired criteria. Origin can store your results while adopting a paperless system that eliminates tedious tasks. Origin’s background screening experts are specifically trained adjudicators who you can rely on for consistent and dependable information. Hire correct the first time by hiring Origin now.