Discrimination, diversity, and inclusiveness are raising questions surrounding best practices for many organizations however, PlusOne Solutions has been committed to social justice since the company was founded in 2005. Here are six ways the consumer reporting agency (CRA) has committed to reducing bias in the screening process.
ORLANDO, Fla. - October 26, 2020 - (Newswire.com)
Recent media articles demand that organizations who handle criminal record checks be accountable for their role in social justice and the impact these records can have on various groups. Data organizations have been called to task for perpetuating discrimination by using and sharing criminal record information that is obtained from a system that is known to be flawed and unfair to some in our population.
At this crucial moment in history, PlusOne Solutions is proud to highlight our ongoing, continuous efforts and commitment to social justice and underscore the acceptance and accountability we take for our role in society.
The Role PlusOne Solutions Plays in the Background Screening Industry
Each year, PlusOne Solutions conducts thousands of background checks on individuals across the U.S. and Canada. Often these reports include driving record searches, criminal record and arrest information, global watches and database searches, and demographic information which is used in our matching and identification process. How we use, protect, and share this information with Customers, our end users, and the opportunities we afford the individuals about whom we have information, creates the base for our social justice efforts.
6 Ways PlusOne Solutions Commits to Social Justice throughout the Background Screening Process
1. Provide More Opportunities Through an Appeal Process
Before a final decision is made regarding the individual’s inclusion in our Customer’s service network, the individual has the opportunity to appeal the decision. This allows the candidate to explain why their past experiences or criminal history should not be a disqualifying condition.
2. Use Identification Numbers in Place of Individual Names PlusOne ID process encourages equality as each individual is assigned a unique number, which they are fully aware of. The ID is used in many of the Customer’s platforms and systems and reduces the need to surface names that may provide ethnic, gender, or other information.
3. Create a Custom Risk Relevancy Matrix Based on the Role
Each Customer we work with provides a risk relevancy matrix that outlines which types of records are pertinent to the role the candidate will hold and when reviewing records, we use this guide to determine which records are considered. The matrix removes the subjective decision-making process that can occur and allows an individualized assessment of the candidates’ suitability for work in our Customer’s network.