Glossary — Hr compliance

Background check

Pre-employment screening of criminal history, employment verification, education, and references.

Definition

Background checks typically include criminal history search, employment verification, education verification, reference checks, and sometimes credit checks (where job-related and legally permitted). The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) governs how employers can use background reports, requiring disclosure and authorization.

State and local "ban the box" laws restrict when in the hiring process employers can ask about criminal history. PEO onboarding typically includes integrated background check workflows.

Common questions about Background check

Pre-employment screening of criminal history, employment verification, education, and references.

Background checks typically include criminal history search, employment verification, education verification, reference checks, and sometimes credit checks (where job-related and legally permitted).

Most PEO buying decisions touch several related concepts at once. Background check typically comes up alongside the other terms in this category. Closely related terms include Onboarding, Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

Browse the full PEO glossary

This is one entry from our PEO glossary covering payroll, benefits, workers comp, HR compliance, and PEO mechanics. Browse all terms.

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