Lawsuits against employers under the FCRA show no signs of abating in 2023, including nationwide class actions. Employers can fortify efforts to comply with the FCRA by, among other things, reviewing their policies and procedures and providing FCRA compliance training.
Background Checks
Online Public Records Aggregators Not Protected from FCRA Suit by Section 230
In a recent opinion, Henderson v. The Source for Public Data, L.P., et al, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit considered whether Section 230(c)(1) of the Communications Decency Act (CDA) – a federal law that allows social media websites to provide a forum for users to post
CMS Designates More Providers as “High Risk” – Expect Delays During Enrollment and CHOWs Due to Mandatory Finger-Print Background Checks
Understanding CFPB’s Legal Advisory on “Permissible” Purpose
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) recently issued a legal Advisory in early July 2022, intending to protect the privacy rights of individuals subject to background checks by third-party consumer reporting agencies (CRAs) under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The Advisory also seeks to remind users (e.g., employers)
The Latest in Multi-Jurisdictional Background Check Compliance
Conducting criminal background checks on job candidates is a common practice for employers but one that raises a host of compliance concerns amid a series of federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing how and when background checks may be conducted.
Sands Shift for Background Screening for Manufacturers
Manufacturing employees have a hand in everything that our country produces. Naturally, manufacturers want to know their employees are reliable and trustworthy. Manufacturers are taking steps, including background checks, to ensure a single hire does not inadvertently cause liability.
Eighth Circuit Holds Article III Standing Was Lacking for an Alleged Violation of the FCRA’s “Pre-Adverse Action” Notice Provision
On April 4, 2022, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit joined the Ninth Circuit in holding that a plaintiff lacked Article III standing to prosecute her statutory claims under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) in federal court. The Eighth Circuit’s opinion in Schumacher v. SC
The Rest of the Story (for Now): Employer Prevails in FCRA Class Action Alleging “Stand-Alone” Disclosure Violation
As we predicted four years ago, class action lawsuits against employers under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) continue to spike, including class actions targeting background check disclosures.1 Before procuring a background check from a consumer reporting agency, the employer must disclose its intention to do so and obtain
CPRA: Background, Notice at Collection, and Website Privacy Policy
As the pandemic ebbs in late 2021, employers need to confront new data protection challenges. In the first podcast in the Littler California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) Podcast Series, Co-Chair of Littler’s Privacy Practice, Philip Gordon, along with core privacy team members, shareholders Kwabena Appenteng and Zoe Argento, discuss
For Manufacturers Struggling With Labor Shortage, Time to Review Background Check Processes
As COVID-19 restrictions continue to relax, manufacturers are facing an ever-tightening labor market. Amidst supply-chain disruptions and computer chip shortages, human capital is proving to be increasingly scarce. Many manufacturers are struggling to fill open positions.
Supreme Court Provides Additional Guidance on FCRA Standing
On June 25, 2021, the Supreme Court of the United States issued a ruling that provides additional guidance related to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), a federal law that regulates the collection of consumers’ credit information and access to their credit reports. In the employment context, the FCRA most
The Dust Hasn’t Settled Yet: Employers Must Continue to Be Thoughtful About Criminal Record Screening Policies
Last month, the new chair of the EEOC, Charlotte A. Burrows, was the keynote speaker at a conference regarding new research on criminal recidivism.1 The EEOC has been mostly quiet on the topic of criminal background checks and Title VII since the U.S.
‘No Concrete Harm, No Standing,’ Divided Supreme Court Reaffirms in Fair Credit Reporting Act Case
The right of plaintiffs to sue for technical violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and other federal privacy laws has been the subject of much class litigation in recent years.
The FDIC Again Loosens Restrictions on Hiring Bank Personnel with Criminal Histories
On July 24, 2020, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) published a Final Rule regarding Section 19 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C. § 1829 (“Section 19”), which restricts hiring at FDIC-insured depository institutions, such as FDIC member banks. The Final Rule codifies the FDIC’s prior guidance
Ninth Circuit Issues Two (Mostly) Pro-Employer Background Check Decisions
The Ninth Circuit recently issued two mostly pro-employer federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) background check decisions.
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