Does anyone know if there are any state or federal regulations that would prohibit an employer from asking an applicant to pay for his/her own pre-employment background screening?
I don't know of a federal law that prohibits an employer from asking an applicant to pay for his or her own background check. Whether there is a state law would depend on where you are located, and you could probably find this out by contacting your local consumer protection agency or department of labor.
No matter what your policy is on background checks, though, make sure that it is applied consistently to all applicants. If you don't, you may be setting yourself up for a discrimination claim.
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I don't know of a federal law that prohibits an employer from asking an applicant to pay for his or her own background check. Whether there is a state law would depend on where you are located, and you could probably find this out by contacting your local consumer protection agency or department of labor.
No matter what your policy is on background checks, though, make sure that it is applied consistently to all applicants. If you don't, you may be setting yourself up for a discrimination claim.