TWELFTH ANNUAL ADP SCREENING INDEX REVEALS NEARLY 10 PERCENT OF JOB CANDIDATES HAVE CRIMINAL HISTORY, CREDIT ISSUES OR DRIVING CITATIONS
ADP Index Reinforces Value of Background Checks in Screening Employees
ROSELAND, NJ (December 08, 2009) – ADP ®, a leading provider of HR, payroll and benefits administration services, today released its annual Screening Index, a yearly evaluation of employment screening and hiring trends. The 2009 Screening Index1 is based on nearly 5.5 million individual background checks completed by ADP in the 2008 calendar year for organizations of all types and sizes.
ADP found that roughly six percent of the more than 1.7 million criminal background checks it performed last year revealed a criminal record within the previous seven years. In total, ADP found that nine percent of the nearly 5.5 million background checks performed in 2008 contained an adverse record of some kind (such as criminal history, credit and driving records).
“Making the right hiring decisions and reducing avoidable risk are two of the most crucial success metrics for employers,” said Linda Smith, General Manager, ADP Screening and Selection Services. “Background checks performed by ADP have revealed criminal records for more than one in every 20 candidates year after year, which points out the importance of maintaining a strong screening policy.”
ADP’s proprietary automated screening platform offers HR recruiters and managers a tool to help maintain a safe workplace. ADP offers employers flexible screening options that help employers drive internal screening compliance and create a safer work environment. ADP’s whitepaper “Should Employers Consider Outsourcing Background Checks?” provides an in-depth view of the Screening Index results and information about why it is important for employers to remain vigilant in screening practices.
Notable results and trends from this year’s Screening Index include:
* Nine percent of background checks contained an adverse record (concerning criminal history, credit and driving records).
* Forty-six percent of reference and credential verifications revealed a discrepancy between information provided by candidates and what the screening revealed on employment, education and/or reference checks.
* More than one-third (37 percent) of driving record checks showed “one or more violation(s) or conviction(s).”
* Approximately six percent of the criminal record checks revealed a criminal record within the last seven years (out of 1.7 million checks performed).
1Please note that not all services described are available in all states.
Trends Across Key Industries
Additionally, the data revealed several interesting trends within eight key industries–manufacturing, healthcare, hospitality, construction, retail, auto dealers, business services and transportation:
* Construction and retail had the highest percentage of records that reflected a criminal record (nine percent); the lowest were healthcare (four percent) and business services and transportation (five percent).
* Transportation industry records had the most favorable credit and accurate reference data. Auto dealers, conversely, had the highest percentage of reference checks that showed discrepancies between what the applicant provided and what the source reported (59 percent).
* Auto retailers had the highest percentage of driver records showing one or more violations (43 percent).
* Screened records from the hospitality industry had the highest percentage of past workers compensation claims (21 percent); and also adverse credit information (62 percent).
To learn more about the 2009 ADP Screening Index, please visit http://www.adp.com/tools-and-resources/calculators-and-tools/adp-annual-screening-index.aspx to access the free whitepaper titled, “Should Employers Consider Outsourcing Background Checks?”
ADP’s screening and selection services make it easier for employers to attract and hire the best job candidates. Background screening from ADP can help reduce hiring risk associated with applicant dishonesty, workplace violence, theft and fraud. ADP integrates its automated background screening and selection services with its recruitment offerings to further extend flexible and complete HR solutions to employers of all types and sizes.
Source: ADP
