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Navigating Employment Trends in 2024: The Crucial Role of Background Checks

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How can background checks help elevate your workforce in 2024?

Happy New Year! We are already one month into 2024, and the employment landscape continues to evolve and be shaped by emerging trends that redefine the way we work. At Corra Group, we understand the importance of staying ahead in this dynamic environment, and we believe that background checks play a crucial role in adapting to the changing demands of the job market.

Remote Work

According to Gallup, work location patterns within the U.S. workforce have shown significant stability since mid-2022. This suggests that remote and hybrid work setups are likely to remain prevalent in the upcoming year. Another survey conducted among Chief Human Resources Officers (CHROs) of Fortune 500 companies revealed that 80% do not plan to reduce the flexibility of remote work in the next 12 months.

The practice of moonlighting, which involves holding a secondary job alongside one’s primary employment, is also becoming more common – particularly among remote workers. Skill Success states that around 56% of individuals are currently involved in moonlighting jobs or side hustles. This trend can potentially give rise to conflicts of interest, diminish creativity, and adversely affect an employee’s job performance.

Corra Group conducts comprehensive background checks utilizing consumer reports which include hard facts like credit and criminal history, and investigative consumer reports, which delve into broader aspects such as general reputation, character, personal characteristics, mode of living, and job performance. Along with social media reports, our trained investigators meticulously examine behavior and performance to identify discrepancies, changes, and alignment with a client’s corporate values. All of this is important when screening candidates for remote work scenarios, ensuring clients can trust employees to perform their jobs outside of the office.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are no longer optional but essential elements of a successful workplace. According to Harvard Business Review, companies will begin to pivot to fully integrate a DEI mission throughout the organization this coming year.

DEI policies are beginning to emphasize qualifications beyond a traditional college degree, reflecting a shift in company priorities. When a candidate does not meet a client’s standard background check criteria, Corra Group offers flexible and dynamic background check solutions to support the company’s DEI values. Corra Group begins with education verification as a starting point to identifying other important qualifications that a candidate may contribute to a job role.

We also understand the importance of a fair and inclusive hiring process and support DEI initiatives by providing clients with unbiased background checks. Corra Group’s background checks are conducted with precision to assess candidates solely on their qualifications, employment history, and other pertinent information. Corra Group provides background checks that are compliant with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), helping clients comply with anti-discrimination laws, focus on job-related criteria, and fairly address criminal history – contributing to the creation of a diverse work environment.

Mental Health and Well-being

Gallup’s 2023 findings indicate that 52% of workers in the United States and Canada encountered significant stress on the previous day. Jeri Hawthorne, Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) at Aflac, suggests in an interview with SHRM that burnout could become an even more prominent concern in 2024. This projection is attributed to factors such as the impending presidential election, financial concerns, extended working hours, and various other stress-inducing elements. The ramifications of this trend extend to individuals’ well-being both in their professional and personal lives, impacting their overall productivity and long-term sustainability.

Corra Group helps clients identify potential red flags by screening for misconduct that may not align with a client’s employee code of conduct, including prior instances of violence, fraud, and harassment. We emphasize conducting social media reports and ongoing criminal checks, with an annual review to track changes. Doing so helps create a safe and secure workplace, which contributes to overall employee well-being.

As we embrace the challenges and opportunities of 2024, Corra Group remains dedicated to providing comprehensive background checks that align with the latest employment trends. We are committed to addressing our clients’ unique needs while staying focused on an engaging candidate experience.

About Corra Group

Corra Group is a full-service background screening company that provides background checks and employment screening to clients throughout the United States and around the world. With 20 years of experience, they are focused on helping clients provide a first-class candidate experience during the hiring process. Corra Group is dedicated to helping businesses make informed hiring decisions while ensuring a safer and more secure work environment. It is also one of the few companies that will answer the phone. To learn more, visit CorraGroup.com.

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Deck the Halls with Safety Calls: The Crucial Role of Background Checks During the Holiday Season

Employee Theft Jumps During the Holiday Season…Do You Know Who You’re Hiring?

The holiday season is here and businesses across the country are gearing up for the festive rush, hiring an influx of seasonal workers to meet the increased demand. While seasonal workers play a pivotal role in helping businesses navigate the hectic holiday period, the urgency to quickly fill positions can compromise the quality of hires.  According to Jack L. Hayes International, Inc. their 35th Annual Retail Theft Survey reports that in 2022, nearly 45,000 dishonest employees were apprehended (up 18%) and over $50 million recovered from these employees (up 14.7%). That’s where background checks become indispensable in ensuring a safe and secure holiday experience for both customers and employers.

One company leading the charge in this critical aspect of hiring is Corra Group, a leading provider of background investigations and pre-employment screening solutions. With expertise in providing comprehensive background checks, Corra Group emphasizes the significance of due diligence, especially during the holiday season. The Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA) also advises background checks for holiday hires, citing the importance of using a professional screening firm to do so. A “do it yourself” approach can lead to inadequate screening and open up employers to legal ramifications.

Nick Gustavson, Cofounder and President of Corra Group, highlights the importance of pre-employment screening: “Employee theft surges during this time because of an increase in foot traffic, making it easier for theft to go unnoticed. Seasonal personnel also tend to be less loyal than full-time employees, and there is also an increased financial burden on workers during the holidays. Background checks help employers identify red flags and make informed decisions, create a safer work environment, and reduce theft.”

Beyond safeguarding against theft and fraud, Corra Group understands that background checks also contribute to creating a secure and positive customer experience. Employers in the hospitality and retail sectors understand the significance of ensuring that their staff, especially temporary hires, meet the necessary standards of trustworthiness and professionalism.

Corra Group’s background checks cover a range of crucial areas, including criminal records, employment verifications, and reference checks. Gustavson adds, “Our comprehensive screening services are designed to provide employers with the information they need to make confident and informed hiring decisions, particularly when managers are preoccupied given the increase in business during the holiday season.”

About Corra Group

Corra Group is a full-service background screening company that provides background checks and employment screening to clients throughout the United States and around the world. With 20 years of experience, they are focused on helping clients provide a first-class candidate experience during the hiring process. Corra Group is dedicated to helping businesses make informed hiring decisions while ensuring a safer and more secure work environment. It is also one of the few companies that will answer the phone. To learn more, visit CorraGroup.com.

Check out Corra Group’s article here.

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Background Checks Press Releases

Corra Group Expands Services to Include Paperless Electronic I-9s, Enhancing Background Checks and Employment Screening

Say goodbye to inefficient and cumbersome paper-based I-9 forms with Corra Group’s new electronic I-9 offering.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Dec. 4, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Corra Group, a leading provider of background investigations and pre-employment screening solutions, is excited to announce the addition of electronic I-9 services to its comprehensive suite of offerings. Paperless electronic I-9 reinforces Corra Group’s commitment to providing clients with the most robust and accurate background screening solutions available in the industry, while focusing on its goal of providing a user-friendly candidate experience.

Nick Gustavson, Cofounder of Corra Group, stated, “We understand the challenges that employers face in today’s complex hiring environment. Our electronic I-9 service is a valuable addition to our suite of screening solutions, making it easier for organizations to comply with employment and immigration laws and create a trustworthy workforce.”

The Form I-9, issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), is a critical document required by employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of every employee hired in the United States. Ensuring compliance with I-9 requirements is essential for organizations to maintain legal and ethical hiring practices. Instead of filling out cumbersome paper forms, Corra Group’s new electronic I-9 service makes it easier to verify employee eligibility to work in the United States. Electronic I-9 forms can be signed digitally by both employees and employers, with guided workflow and real-time error checking. Corra Group’s system tracks all I-9 deadlines, providing employers with the ability to monitor and track the status of all active I-9 cases, with weekly alerts pushed to users and easy re-verification process and date reminders. The service also offers one-click access to analytics and reporting features for a streamlined and efficient experience.

The expansion is fully integrated with E-Verify, the Department of Homeland Security’s Electronic Verifying system. I-9 forms completed on Corra Groups’ platform can be instantly submitted to E-Verify. By integrating with E-Verify, an electronic paper trail is also created that can confirm the legitimate status of all employees and satisfy an audit quickly and easily.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, employers were granted the ability to conduct a virtual review of I-9 documents. As of August 1, 2023 remote verification of I-9 is only available to qualified E-Verify users. Corra Group’s I-9 system can be used remotely and will integrate with an employer’s active E-Verify account.

Corra Group can help navigate the new remote I-9 verification process and remains dedicated to helping employers make informed hiring decisions while ensuring the safety and security of their workplaces. Clients are supported each step of the way including account setup, integrating their background screening programs with existing I-9 verification processes, and keeping up to date with changes in Federal and State law as we move closer to mandatory federal verification.

For more information about Corra Group’s I-9 service and its comprehensive suite of background screening solutions, please visit Corra Group’s Electronic I-9 page.

About Corra Group:

Corra Group is a full-service background screening company that provides background checks and employment screening to clients throughout the United States and around the world. With over 20 years of experience, Corra Group’s goal is to help clients make informed decisions and provide a first-class candidate experience during the hiring process. It is also one of the few companies that will answer the phone. To learn more, visit CorraGroup.com.

Media Contact

Manoly Chareunsy, Corra Group, 310-524-9800, manolyg@corragroup.com, https://www.corragroup.com/

SOURCE Corra Group

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Background Checks

Unmasking Safety: The Crucial Role of Background Checks in the Halloween Season

Do You Really Know Who Your Kids Are Interacting With?

The Halloween season is upon us, and it is a time filled with festive activities, celebrations, and fun costumes. It is also a time when children may encounter many unfamiliar adults dressed in costumes. To safeguard the well-being of our youngsters, here are some ways to ensure the safety and success of your business this period:

Safety at School Halloween Events
Many schools host Halloween events or parties for their students. The safety and well-being of the children and families attending these events are paramount. Background checks on volunteers and chaperones help ensure that these gatherings remain secure and enjoyable.

Ensuring Trustworthy Costume Shop Employees
As Halloween approaches, costume shops across the country gear up for a surge in business. They hire seasonal employees to assist customers in finding the perfect costumes and accessories. Ensuring that these employees are trustworthy is essential, especially when children are involved. Background checks on costume shop staff help maintain a safe and reliable shopping environment for families.

Haunted Houses and Safety
Haunted houses are popular Halloween attractions that rely heavily on the trustworthiness of their actors and staff. To create an authentic experience, visitors interact closely with the performers. For the safety and enjoyment of guests, background checks are often conducted to ensure that everyone involved in the haunted house operation can be trusted.

Securing Community Events
Halloween witnesses an uptick of up to 50% in certain criminal activities, such as vandalism, pranks, and petty crimes. It is also a time for community gatherings, trick-or-treating, and festive events. Conducting background checks, particularly criminal checks, on those who participate in planning and hosting such events is a vital step to safeguard the participants and guarantee a secure and enjoyable experience for everyone.

Year-Round Halloween Businesses
Beyond the season itself, some businesses and attractions such as theme parks and entertainment venues, incorporate Halloween-themed elements year-round. For these establishments, conducting background checks on their regular employees is crucial to maintain the overall security and quality of the visitor experience.

The importance of background checks during the Halloween season may not be immediately obvious, but they play a vital role in making Halloween celebrations safe and enjoyable. Corra Group understands these critical correlations and can help.

About Corra Group

Corra Group is a full-service background screening company that provides background checks and employment screening to clients throughout the United States and around the world. With 20 years of experience, Corra Group is focused on helping clients provide a first-class candidate experience during the hiring process. Corra Group is dedicated to helping businesses make informed hiring decisions while ensuring a safer and more secure work environment. It is also one of the few companies that will answer the phone. To learn more, visit CorraGroup.com.