Learn how to start a background check process, key screening components, and compliance tips to make informed hiring decisions with confidence.

DISA is committed to developing solutions to make the complex screening process easier and more efficient. The immense volume of paper required for the Chain of Custody process makes this important process slower, less accurate, and inefficient. We teamed our internal experts and technology solutions with our laboratory partner, CRL, to develop an electronic solution to eliminate the paper-heavy screening process. We also developed an electronic solution for capturing employee consent, another paper process. Now, our clients are afforded the ease and efficiency of electronic Custody and Control and electronic Consent Forms – eCCFs and eConsent.

Updated 12/1/2023 | In today's professional landscape, pre-employment background checks are a crucial component for many companies. These screenings ensure the integrity, qualifications, and history of prospective employees. While some companies may choose to handle these background checks in-house, a growing number of firms are opting for the expertise and efficiency of consumer reporting agencies (CRA). To aid your search in finding the ideal partner tailored to your organization's needs and budget, we've compiled a list of the leading background check service providers this year.

Stay compliant with Ban the Box laws. Learn how these initiatives impact hiring, background checks, and fair chance employment practices.

California’s new law protects employees’ off-duty cannabis use. Learn how it affects workplace drug testing, compliance, and employer policies

DISA's 2018 April Fools Joke: Companies nationwide are considering cracking down on your morning cup of joe. Caffeine is consumed on a daily basis by the majority of U.S. workers in a variety of ways including coffee, energy drinks, chocolate, caffeine pills, tea, etc. Those quick pick-me-ups might soon be a thing of the past as employers are considering drug testing for caffeine

Several large companies in the U.S. have recently begun exploratory drug testing for caffeine, under the belief that the short-term benefits, don’t outweigh the long-term risks.

California has long been at the forefront of marijuana legalization in the United States. With the passing of AB 2188 in September of last year, employers must now navigate the complexities of this new legislation and its potential impact on their drug testing policies. 

Background screening is a standard tool used during the pre-employment process. Background screening is a way for employers to make informed decisions when hiring and helps to maintain a safe working environment.

As of October 1, 2023, significant changes to California's Fair Chance Act (FCA) compliance have taken effect, impacting both employers and job applicants. This act is designed to provide individuals with criminal histories a fair chance of employment. Morgan Reynolds, VP of Risk and Legal Council, DISA Global Solutions, presented a webinar to discuss the new compliance update. Here's a closer look at what he discussed and what you need to know about California FCA compliance changes.

In an insightful session at the Day with DISA 2024 conference, Adam Rosenthal, an Employment Law Partner at Shepard Mullen, delved into the complexities of California's unique legal landscape, particularly focusing on hiring best practices and pitfalls. Adam's expertise shone through as he navigated the nuances of California employment law, offering valuable insights into non-discrimination policies, fair pay laws, and the intricacies of conducting compliant recruitment processes in the state.

A California Court of Appeal has issued a ruling that has resulted in California courts prohibiting the use of dates of birth, driver license numbers, and other identifiers to filter online search results. By redacting date of births from the California court system’s terminal, it makes it more difficult to perform background checks. Employers who have implemented background checks for their workplaces need to be aware of these changes and the impact they have on their policies. This impacts employers regardless if their business is located in the state of California, because applicants who previously lived in California will be restricted by this new requirement.

​Canada's Electronic Logging Device (ELD) mandate, announced on June 13, 2019, requires commercial drivers to use certified ELDs starting June 12, 2021, aligning with U.S. regulations to enhance highway and trucking safety. This mandate aims to simplify compliance for cross-border operators and reduce the need for manual tracking of Hours of Service. ​

Drug and alcohol testing is an essential program that increases safety at your workplace and reduces the risk of employees being impaired at your facility. As an industry-leading third-party administrator (TPA) of drug testing, we've seen an increase in medical prescriptions for drugs like marijuana and opioids (Oxycontin, Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, etc.). It's important for employers to understand how these prescriptions affect safety-sensitive employees in the drug testing process, what the process is when an employee has a prescription, and why you may need to implement new procedures to ensure your facility stays as safe as possible.

The article highlights that in 2021, 1 out of every 29 corporate employees failed their random drug tests, with positivity rates rising significantly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The increase is attributed to employees turning to substances to cope with stress and challenges. The article emphasizes the importance of comprehensive drug testing programs, such as combining hair testing with urinalysis, and encourages employers to enhance workplace safety by updating their drug testing policies.

On July 1, 2023, adults in Maryland will be able to legally possess up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis and cultivate up to two plants.