Background reports can range from a verification of an applicant's Social Security number to a detailed account of the potential employee's history and acquaintances. There is even some evidence that employers are now searching popular social networking Web sites such as MySpace and Facebook for the profiles of applicants. This guide explains the why and how of background checks. It also tells you what can be covered in a background report, your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and what you can do to prepare.

Small business owners and large corporations alike know the value of good employees. But unlike large corporations, small business owners are often unable to absorb the risks and liability that may come from bad hiring decisions. This guide is intended to acquaint small business owners with basic information about screening applicants and current employees.

Every day, millions of volunteers donate countless hours to good causes. Volunteers mentor to young people, read to toddlers, coach youth sports, tutor in basic math and language skills, change bedpans, prepare and deliver meals, fight fires, provide disaster assistance, and much more. Volunteers can and do perform many of the same duties as paid workers. But, instead of a regular paycheck volunteers do what they do out of a desire to give back to their community.

In today’s queasy, security-conscious climate, organizations are faced with a growing challenge — how to accomplish their mission while protecting the vulnerable population served. At the same time, organizations that rely on volunteers must perform a delicate balancing act — how to properly screen out bad actors without alienating dedicated, privacy-conscious volunteers.

This guide seeks to explore the expanding world of volunteer screening, identify relevant laws as well as fundamental privacy protections, and offer suggestions for organizations and volunteers. References and additional resources are included at the end of this guide.