When you climb into a rideshare vehicle or have food delivered by a third-party provider, how can you know the person serving you is safe to trust?
Answering that question has proven challenging for companies such as Lyft and Uber following waves of negative press based on crimes committed by active drivers. Other businesses that offer services through mobile apps, from Postmates to Task Rabbit, have reported reviewing their background check policies to promote user confidence.
Gig-based businesses want to be able to hire safe, dependable individuals. backgroundchecks.com offers vendor screening services to businesses looking for certainty in their choice of third-party partners. As reports indicate, there is little consistency regarding what gig economy checks look like or how employers use information the checks return.
A recent report in Slate highlighted the
Slate investigated further and reported that zero of the eight businesses it contacted could or were willing to discuss their guidelines for background checks. Critics contend that the uncertainty created by such poorly-defined procedures leads to constrained opportunities in the gig economy for former offenders—and it could lead to accusations of discriminatory hiring practices.
There are many factors at work making the gig economy difficult to navigate for those with criminal records. The uncertain legal classification for these companies plays a role, as does the continued
In many states, some types of criminal records are eligible for expungement. The same states often have firm rules in place preventing expunged records from appearing in background checks or playing a role in employment considerations.
Understanding how to access expungement can be challenging, especially with a patchwork of rules nationwide. backgroundchecks.com's independent partner service, MyClearStart, allows individuals to take the first steps in exploring eligibility for expungement. Whether it is unlocking opportunities in the traditional job market or the gig economy, expungement is a useful tool to consider.
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About Michael Klazema The author
Michael Klazema is the lead author and editor for Dallas-based backgroundchecks.com with a focus on human resource and employment screening developments