Adjudication is the step where you, as an employer, review a candidate's background check results and decide how they impact your hiring decision. While Yardstik gathers the necessary information, it's up to you to interpret the findings and determine the next steps.
⚖️ Why Is Adjudication Important?
Risk Management: Helps identify potential issues that could pose risks to your company.
Consistency: Ensures every candidate is evaluated using the same criteria, promoting fairness.
Compliance: Aligns your hiring decisions with laws like the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), Fair Change, "Ban the Box" regulations, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
🔍 Understanding Adjudication Statuses
Clear: No records found; or no records found which would prevent hiring; you can proceed with hiring.
Consider: Some findings need your attention. You can:
Proceed: Decide the findings aren't disqualifying and move forward.
Initiate Pre-Adverse Action: Notify the candidate about potential disqualification, giving them a chance to respond.
Adverse Action: After considering any candidate responses, you may choose not to proceed with hiring.
⚙️ Manual vs. Automated Adjudication
Manual: You review each flagged result individually.
Automated: You set predefined rules (e.g., overlook minor traffic violations). This approach saves time and maintains consistency.
🧩 Building an Adjudication Matrix
An adjudication matrix is a guideline that helps you make consistent decisions. To create one, use the Yardstik template to:
Identify Non-Issues: Determine which findings (like minor infractions) won't affect hiring decisions.
Define Reviewable Issues: Specify which findings require further consideration.
Set Timeframes: Consider how the age of an offense impacts its relevance.
Partner with Experts: As experts in background screening, Yardstik can help apply an adjudication matrix to the public record results reported in a background check. If there are questions about specific charges, how adjudication works, or how to set up a matrix that fits organizational policies, the Yardstik team is available to help. For support or to request a sample matrix, contact [email protected].
By understanding and implementing a structured adjudication process, you can make informed, fair, and legally compliant hiring decisions.
For a more in-depth look, you can read the full article here: Background Check Adjudication: Definition, Guide, and Best Practices
To get in touch with our support team, visit the Yardstik Support Page or click the Support option in the top-right corner of the Yardstik Website.