How Far Do Employee Background Checks Go?

The General Rule

As a general rule seven to ten years is the limit to the information that can appear on a pre-employment background check. The state employment laws and the income level play a part in determining this limit.

This gives you a good look at the recent behavior of the individual to offer a prediction of what they will act like in the near future. Depending on where you are located, this can be a limit that is set by local or state laws. The idea is to offer businesses the chance to seek the best possible information when hiring people while still protecting citizens from intrusive investigations.

Exceptions to the General Rule

As with most general rules, there are going to be exceptions. The answer to how far back does an employee background check go is no different. Take for example driving records. Most all traffic violations will be dropped from an individual’s driving record after three years. This is something to keep in mind when you are hiring someone who will be driving for your company as part of their job description. This does not apply to violations resulting in an arrest. Arrest records can remain on record for well beyond three years.

The sex offender registry is a lifetime requirement for most. There are no restrictions on how far back the original incarceration may have occurred. It requires the clearance of the court to be removed from this list. As long as the offender is registered, it is a factor employers can consider when making an employment decision.

There are going to be occasions in which the answer to how far back does an employee background check go can be much longer than seven years. These include:

• Working with the federal government
• Working with the state government
• Working with law enforcement agencies
• Having access to individuals at risk
• Certain financial positions

The general rule for how far back does an employee background check go in these cases is ten years. If the position requires high enough of a security clearance, there is actually no limit to how far back the investigation is allowed to go. When screening for code clearance within the federal government, even expunged records can be reopened. This includes infractions which may have occurred in someone’s youth.

How to get the Most From the Information Available

Now that you know the answer to the question of “how far back does an employee background check go”, it is time to make sure you are getting the most from the information available. This means utilizing the best services for investigating potential hires.

Companies such as Pre-Employ.com offer the types of screening services to assure you understand everything you need to know about people before they are employed by you. Take the time to evaluate the types of information you need to know about the person for the position you are hiring them for.

Make sure you are aware of the local, state, and federal laws which you may need to abide by for hiring practices for your field. This puts you on the right path to getting the information necessary to hire the best person for the job. A company specializing in employee background searches can help you do just this.

You can contact Pre-Employ.com today to get a free quote for their employee background check services. They have everything necessary to meet your background check needs. With the ability to provide most background check information within 48 hours, you will be able to move forward faster. Their knowledgeable, courteous, and US based staff will assist you with making sure you have the wealth of information necessary to make the best choice for one of the most important tasks any company faces; hiring the right people.