With decades of experience in the contractor screening space, our founders knew that when they started PlusOne Solutions in 2005, they needed to launch a solution that met the unique demands of the service industry. Traditional employment screening practices at the time were not suitable for contractor networks or service companies, so PlusOne Solutions developed a new approach. This is what our contractor screening program has to offer.
With the in-home service industry, independent contractors often worked for numerous companies in their local area. This meant they were subjected to various and multiple background screening processes. Some of these were comprehensive, but others were merely done to check a box. None of them were designed to keep the contracted customer at the forefront of risk mitigation.
With a focused effort, PlusOne Solutions developed a process for treating the individual in the background screening with respect, while considering the specific work they would be contracted to do when evaluating their screening results. This led to successfully balancing risk mitigation with compliance and the proper treatment of contracted servicers.
The PlusOne Solutions Contractor Background Screening Program was the first to address many unique service industry issues, such as:
Problem 1: Repeated and Inconsistent Screening Efforts
Contractors were paying for multiple background screening programs through various vendors, based on which their customers were using. This process was redundant, cumbersome, and costly.
Solution 1: Shareability
One background check done through PlusOne Solutions can be accepted across multiple customers, so a single purchase of a background screen can be used among our customers with whom an individual is contracted to work. This lowered the cost of the background screen for each contractor, provided a streamlined screening process, and improved acceptance of background screening across the industry.
Problem 2: Inconsistent Criteria
There were too many different background screening packages required across the service industry, and there was no consistency in the components or search criteria. This created multiple requirements for individuals to be screened against, some of which were lacking true diligence, and caused confusion, frustration, and additional fees.
Solution 2: Standardized Package
A comprehensive, thorough, and affordable background screening package that sets the standard requirements for the industry. The detail, process, and use of the screening were better understood and used by customers as a result, thereby reducing risk and improving the credibility and caliber of the entire industry.
Problem 3: Unpredictable Variable Costs
The actual cost of the background check was unknown until all the screening was conducted because search fees varied from screening to screening, depending on factors such as the vendor, specific package, and jurisdiction. The more counties, addresses, or names searched, the higher the cost was. Contracted individuals required to complete a background check had no idea what was fair, what to expect, or what was required.
Solution 3: Bundled, Predictive Pricing
A transparent bundled cost, which proactively factored in all costs, including all pass-through fees such as the specific court, state, and motor vehicle reports fees, was included in the screening package. This eliminated surprise pricing for those going through the screening process and gave contractors an upfront fee they could accept to maintain consistency across all screenings.
Problem 4: Irrelevant Decision Matrices
Decision-makers were using irrelevant background screen information and bright-line decision matrices when considering a person for a role. For example, a felony would bar someone from consideration, yet not all felonies are equal. This approach was later determined to violate the Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) 2012 Enforcement Guidance.
Solution 4: Individualized Assessment
A set of fluid guidelines to use for in-home and on-premise contracted situations was created to better qualify and assess any previous criminal convictions, and was considered based on behaviors related to the job. This also factors in whether the individual may pose a risk to the consumer, property, or family, as the severity of the conviction, length of time since the conviction, and nature of the job were evaluated for each review of criminal records.
Problem 5: Violation of Privacy
Outdated, personal, and irrelevant criminal record information about an individual was being shared prematurely with the individual’s employer through the consumer (background screening) report. In many cases, the information did not create an adverse condition. Since it was not information that needed to be shared, it unnecessarily violated the privacy of the individual.
Solution 5: Pre-Adverse Process Directly with the Individual
Working with the individual directly, and within FCRA and state laws and regulations, PlusOne Solutions evaluates the background screening and keeps the information confidential by not releasing results to the Customer or the individual’s employer until the pre-adverse process is completed. This ensures a confirmed record is released only after the individual is aware of what information is shared about them and they have had enough opportunity to dispute the information. While the pre-adverse and adverse processes are legislated, the approach to work through this with the individual, versus sharing with the company, which would work with the individual, is where PlusOne’s approach differs.
Problem 6: No Opportunity to be Heard
Without steps in place in order to fully understand the circumstances around the findings in a background screening, decisions were made based solely on the report, and no additional information from the individual was obtained.
Even when using a decision matrix, there are valid reasons for reconsideration of the impact of past criminal or driving behaviors before a final decision is made. Background screening results are on real people, and life’s circumstances can never be fully understood from just a background screening report.
Solution 6: Appeal Process
A unique process was instituted in our contractor screening program to allow the individual to provide more information that may impact the results and decision from the screening. From the very beginning, PlusOne Solutions implemented an “appeal” process to gain a better understanding of the circumstances that led to the charges showing in the consumer report.
After the background screening report is provided but before a final decision is made, the individual has an opportunity to “appeal” their eligibility decision. This builds on the individualized assessment process and allows the individual to explain their story and ask for reconsideration before making a final decision. They can demonstrate their rehabilitation and suitability for the role and often give greater insight into the circumstances that gave rise to the adverse behavior.
