Background checks are a part of everyday life for the vast majority of people in America. In a job application context, it is commonplace for future employers to want to get to know some more details about prospective employees.
Background checks can be initiated on weekends. But the full processing might be delayed if it requires manual intervention, as many companies operate on business days. It’s advisable to account for potential delays when a background check is conducted around the weekend.
These pre-employment screenings look for things such as criminal, credit, and employment history, along with various other aspects. Landlords are also known to conduct background checks on prospective tenants, and some people even choose to run checks on potential matches from dating websites!
There are countless reasons why somebody may want to conduct a background check, and therefore an important logistical consideration is when they can be done. Specifically, do background checks work on weekends?
This article will take a look at:
- The ins and outs of the background check process
- Important factors to consider when looking to conduct a background check on the weekend.
Let’s get started!
Do Background Checks Work On Weekends?
The straightforward answer to this question is yes, they do. However, there is some small print involved.
It’s very important to understand that the type of check you are after will affect both the processing time and the outfit authorized to conduct the check substantially.
This means while some checks will be able to be conducted over the weekend. A lot of them can only be carried out on business days.
How Long Does A Typical Background Check Take?
As hinted in the above section, the type of background check is very important to consider when trying to get a gauge of how long the check will take.
The nature of the information being sought out, the outfit able to conduct the check, and the methods and complexity involved all have an influence on timeframes.
For example, driving record checks can take under an hour, as well as quick verification employment checks.
However, criminal background checks usually take 1 to 3 days, and reference checks from 2 to 5. There’s a lot of variability, so stick around for a more comprehensive overview!
How Background Checks Are Conducted?
Some background checks can be conducted using online databases and public records. These will readily offer information such as criminal records, property records, and vote registration records.
Educational verification is usually conducted by getting in touch with the institution the person in question says they went to and corroborating their academic credentials.
Credit reports for things such as loan applications are conducted by specialized agencies that have access to people’s credit scores, debts, and payment history.
Do Background Checks Operate Over Weekends?
Some types of background checks operate on weekends. The degree of sophistication required in the data extraction will vary based on the information required. However, more comprehensive checks will typically only be conducted on business days.
Types of Background Checks and How Long They Take (Approximately)
What follows is a list of some of the most common types of background checks and the approximate time they take to be conducted:
Criminal Background Checks
Criminal history checks can take anywhere between one hour to a couple of days to be processed.
This variation in time frame can be explained by the fact that if the person in question is shown to have a criminal conviction, verification is often sought from county records.
Seeing as they are usually conducted electronically, straightforward criminal history checks can be done year-round, including on weekends.
Employment Verification
Employment verification is often an important part of the job application process, as future employers (for the most part) will want to ensure their prospective employees have the job experience they claim to have in their application.
This type of check can vary in time frame depending on whether you contact the previous employers of the person in question manually or use a background check service.
Automated systems such as these providers can be available 24/7. But the time frame for both methods of operation is dependent on the willingness/availability of previous employers to provide or corroborate information.
Credit History Check
These types of checks are often carried out by lenders, landlords, and various other institutions to assess an individual’s ability to manage their financial responsibilities.
There are usually two types of credit history checks: Soft Checks for informational purposes or pre-approved offers, and Hard Checks carried out to help lending decisions.
Education Verification
Education verification checks are done to establish an individual’s qualifications, such as degrees or diplomas.
They may take anywhere from 1-5 business days, depending on the institution’s response times and willingness to provide information.
Reference Checks
References are individuals provided by job applicants who can provide a testament to their qualifications and/or character.
These types of checks may take a couple of days to a week to complete depending on the responsiveness of the references and the quantity you need to get in touch with.
Some Factors that Can Delay Background Checks
There are multiple factors that may influence or delay the time in which a background check is completed. These include:
Public Office Hours
Public agencies, institutions, and government office hours may all vary depending on where you are and the time of year.
However, it is natural to assume that their hours of operation over the weekend will be limited (if not non-existent).
This means availability to certain types of information may be limited at different times, especially that which requires manual processing.
International Checks
Background checks of an international nature have all the constraints of local background checks with the added fun of time zone differences, local holidays, and foreign operating hours. For these reasons, ample time should be budgeted for these types of checks.
Volume of Checks
If you are trying to process a background check at the same time lots of other checks are also being processed, this can significantly affect turnaround time frames. For this reason, busy times of the year should be planned around accordingly.
Complex Cases
Background checks involving sensitive or unusual circumstances may well require additional time and resources.
Complex cases that may require a higher amount of collaboration and intel will naturally take a longer time to be processed.
Can I Expedite A Background Check?
Background checks can be expedited in a couple of different contexts, but these faster results may come with added costs and administration.
The type of background check required and the service provider’s needs and specifications will often determine whether the check can be expedited or not, or how much it will cost to do so.
Impact of Weekends on Different Types of Background Checks
Background checks are an integral part of the hiring process, but their efficiency can be affected by weekends. This impact varies depending on the type of check being conducted. Understanding these variations is crucial for employers, background check companies, and job candidates.
County Criminal History Searches
County criminal history searches are a standard component of many background checks. These searches involve accessing records at county courthouses. However, most courthouses are closed on weekends, which can delay the process.
If a background check request is made on a Friday, it’s unlikely that the search will begin until the next business day, usually Monday. This closure can extend the average turnaround time for these checks, impacting business operations and hiring decisions.
State and Federal Criminal Searches
Similar to county searches, state and federal criminal searches also face delays over weekends. These searches often require access to government databases or physical records in government buildings.
Since many government offices, including those at the state and federal levels, do not operate over the weekend, any criminal records check initiated late in the week will likely see a delay. This waiting period is crucial for employers to consider when planning their background screening process.
Civil Court, Bankruptcy, and Driving History Checks
Checks involving civil court records, bankruptcy filings, and driving history are also subject to weekend delays. Civil courts and financial institutions typically follow a standard Monday-to-Friday schedule.
Therefore, any checks involving these institutions will not be processed over the weekend. Similarly, accessing motor vehicle records can be delayed if the relevant state department is closed.
Employment History and Education Verification Checks
Employment history and education verification checks often require contacting previous employers or educational institutions. These organizations usually operate during standard business hours and are closed on weekends.
As a result, attempts to verify a candidate’s employment or education history over the weekend will likely be postponed until the next business day. This delay can extend the time it takes to complete a background check, especially if multiple institutions need to be contacted.
Efficient Background Checks and Planning
To ensure efficient background checks, employers and background screening companies must plan accordingly. Understanding the operational hours of the institutions involved in these checks is crucial. For instance, initiating checks earlier in the week can help avoid weekend delays.
The Role of Instant Searches and Online Systems
While traditional checks face weekend delays, some aspects of background checks can be expedited through instant searches and online systems. Many background check companies offer database-driven checks that can provide immediate results, regardless of the day of the week. These can include certain criminal record databases, credit checks, and some drug testing results.
Balancing Speed and Thoroughness
While weekends can impact the speed of background checks. It’s important for employers to balance the need for quick results with the necessity of thorough vetting. Rushing the process might lead to incomplete or inaccurate information, which can affect informed hiring decisions. Employers should communicate with candidates about the expected timeline and any potential delays due to weekends.
The impact of weekends on different types of background checks is a significant factor in the overall timeline of the hiring process. Employers and background screening companies must navigate these challenges by understanding the operational schedules of various institutions and planning their screening activities accordingly.
By doing so, they can ensure a smooth and efficient hiring process while maintaining the integrity and thoroughness of their background checks.
Legal and Regulatory Considerations in Background Checks
Background checks are a crucial part of the hiring process. But they are governed by a complex web of federal and state laws. Understanding these laws is essential for both business owners and job seekers to ensure compliance and protect individual rights.
Federal Laws Governing Background Checks
At the federal level, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) plays a significant role. It regulates how background check companies conduct employment background checks, including credit checks and criminal record checks. The FCRA mandates that employers must obtain written consent from the job candidate before conducting a background check. It also requires employers to provide candidates with a copy of the background check report if the information in it is used to make an adverse employment decision.
Another key federal law is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits discrimination based on disability. This law impacts how medical history and drug testing information can be used in the hiring process. Employers must ensure that any screening process does not unfairly discriminate against candidates with disabilities.
State Laws and Their Variations
State laws can vary significantly when it comes to background checks. Some states have their own versions of the FCRA, offering additional protections to candidates. For instance, certain states restrict the use of credit history & bankruptcy information in making employment decisions.
Others may have specific regulations regarding criminal records searches, such as limiting the consideration of convictions that occurred over a certain number of years ago.
Rights of Individuals Undergoing Background Checks
Individuals undergoing background checks have several rights. They have the right to be informed about the background check request and to give consent. If an employer decides not to hire a candidate based on the background check, they must inform the candidate, provide a copy of the report, and give them an opportunity to correct any inaccuracies.
Candidates also have the right to know if any additional background checks are being conducted, such as license verification checks or checks for vulnerable populations. In cases of criminal history requests, individuals have the right to dispute the findings if they believe them to be incorrect.
Ensuring Compliance and Fairness
For employers, it’s crucial to stay informed about the changing landscape of background screening. Working with a specialist background check company can help ensure compliance with both federal and state laws. Employers should also be transparent with candidates about the background screening process and respect their rights throughout.
In conclusion, legal and regulatory considerations in background checks are vital for making informed hiring decisions. Both employers and candidates need to be aware of their rights and responsibilities to ensure a fair and lawful hiring process.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, certain background checks can be conducted on weekends. But the time frames involved in processing these checks will vary significantly as a result of several determining factors.
Although some checks may yield instant results, these same results could take a couple of days to be manually or automatically processed. The nuances surrounding this are important to understand for anyone looking to complete a background check.
Whether it be for hiring purposes, renting, lending, or security, it is necessary to plan accordingly when it comes to timelines in check processing!
Understanding the operation of background checks on weekends is crucial in the navigation of these processes and in making sound, reassured decisions.
FAQs on Weekend Background Checks
Can background checks be processed over the weekend?
While some aspects of background checks, like database-driven searches, can be conducted over the weekend, many key components, such as county criminal history searches or employment history verifications, are delayed. This is because courthouses, government offices, and most businesses are closed on weekends.
How do weekends affect the turnaround time for background checks?
Weekends can extend the average turnaround time for background checks. If a check is initiated close to the weekend, especially those requiring courthouse or government office involvement. The process will likely resume the following business day, adding to the overall duration.
Are there any background checks that can be completed during the weekend?
Yes, certain types of checks, such as those relying on instantly accessible online databases for criminal records check or credit checks, can often be completed during weekends. These are typically automated and do not require manual intervention.
What should employers and candidates keep in mind regarding weekend background checks?
Both employers and candidates should be aware of potential delays caused by weekends. Planning and initiating background checks earlier in the week can help mitigate these delays, ensuring a smoother hiring process.