NEW YORK, March 13, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Sterling Testing Systems, Inc., a leading provider of pre-employment screening services, will host its 2006 Spring Symposium -- Understanding the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) in the Background Check Process at the Melville Marriott on Long Island. On April 6, 2006, the breakfast seminar will address the responsibilities that employers face in conducting background checks and how to best mitigate risks in the hiring process. The Spring Symposium kicks off Sterling Testing's FCRA Road Show to be held in major cities across the U.S. this year.
While commonly associated with the annual free credit report program, the FCRA encompasses all consumer reports, including the results of a background check. Under this legislation, employers are required to obtain signed authorization from prospective candidates to perform background checks. Employers must abide by laws that vary from state to state which may actually restrict the use of certain aspects of a criminal record in hiring decisions.
The breakfast seminar will address the legal responsibilities of both the credit reporting agency (CRA) and the employer during the pre-employment screening process. The presentation will be given by Matt Halpern, Esq., and Richard I. Greenberg, Esq., from pre-eminent labor and employment law firm Jackson Lewis, LLP.
Mr. Halpern and Mr. Greenberg will highlight:
-- The circumstances under which a CRA, such as a
pre-employment screening firm, can and cannot
disseminate the information related to a job applicant
-- What types of information a CRA is authorized to provide
an employer
-- Required consent and disclosure procedures for employers
conducting background checks
-- State-specific laws that employers must abide by in
the use of personal information in making hiring
decisions
"With more than 80% of companies conducting background checks on their new hires, it is essential for every HR professional to understand their company's legal rights and limits in using information to potentially disqualify a candidate," said Richard Seldon, President of Sterling Testing Systems.
Attendees are eligible for 1.5 credit hours toward PHR, SPHR and GPHR recertification through the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI).
To register for this event, contact Jessica Eyth at Sterling Testing Systems at (212) 812-1021 or send an email to symposium@sterlingtesting.com.
Sterling Testing Systems
Sterling Testing Systems are business information providers and the foremost experts in pre-employment screening, harnessing thirty years of expertise to help companies hire right the first time and avoid costly mistakes. Sterling maintains a 99% client retention rate among its 6,000 clients from the Fortune 500 to small to mid-sized enterprises in a wide range of industries including healthcare, financial services, retail and publishing. Sterling's proprietary technology rapidly links HR professionals to the background check data they need, and its Sterling Direct testing module seamlessly integrates into more than 15 unique HR software programs. For more information, visit www.sterlingtesting.com
About Jackson Lewis LLP
Jackson Lewis represents management exclusively in employment, labor, benefits and immigration law and related litigation. With 380 attorneys practicing in 21 offices nationwide, the firm has a national perspective and sensitivity to the nuances of regional business environments. Guided by the principle that a positive work environment results in enhanced morale and increased productivity, the firm devotes a significant portion of its practice to management education and preventive programs. This approach helps limit exposure to grievances, charges and lawsuits. For more information, visit: www.jacksonlewis.com.