Employment-Screening Company EmployeeScreenIQ Reports on Organizational Interpretation of Background Screening

A recent survey released by EmployeeScreenIQ examining how companies use screening results to filter applicants has reflected positively on HR professionals who respond appropriately to negative screening results within the context of tightening employment laws and other challenges regarding the use of background checks as a valid hiring tool. The report polled 650 individuals from a wide spectrum of organization utilizing background screening as part of their hiring process.

Some of the highlights of the employment report include: 72 percent of those surveyed that a criminal record plays much less of a role than job qualifications when making a hiring decision. In fact, 70 percent of respondents reported that applicants are denied employment less than 10 percent of the time due to a criminal record. Most of those polled reported that about 40 percent of job candidates exaggerate information on their resumes with 83 percent of respondents reporting that the most grievous distortion was a lie about educational background and qualifications.

While virtually all respondents (99 percent) reported being concerned about past felony convictions, only 63 percent voiced concerns about misdemeanor convictions, and only 30 percent were concerned with more minor infractions. The group of respondents was split regarding the use of social networking sites as a portion of the screening process. Regarding screening service providers, 71 percent of respondents felt accreditation by the National Association of Professional Background Screeners was important despite that fact that very few (2 percent) are actually accredited.