Employers and HR professionals should make it their policy never to hire a candidate without an employment background check. Your organization could be held liable for “negligent hiring” or “failure to warn” should an employee turn violent on the job. When conducting a job background check, make sure you comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which regulates not only credit background checks but also checking criminal records and driving records. Employment Background Check Guidelines shows you how to properly conduct reference/background checks, select third-party background firms and why screening candidates online on social networking sites is legally risky business.