Following IPO, Lyft Strengthens Background Check Procedures with Daily Monitoring

Aside from disrupting the taxi industry, many of the headlines written about ridesharing companies such as Uber and Lyft have concerned their hiring procedures. Though Uber attracted more initial attention, challenges in vetting and background checks have plagued both companies. A string of high-profile criminal acts committed by ridesharing drivers further increased scrutiny and led to some of the first regulatory legislation in a few municipalities.

In an ongoing effort to increase rider confidence and demonstrate to investors a commitment to a safer service, Lyft recently announced a major change to its background check policy. Previously, drivers faced an annual re-screening following a standard background check at hiring, likely similar to backgroundchecks.com’s US OneSEARCH. This policy aimed to disqualify drivers relatively soon after any adverse reports. Now, Lyft will employ rolling background checks through a continuous process that equates to performing a daily background check.

By regularly screening criminal databases and requiring drivers to disclose information such as their Social Security numbers, Lyft's monitoring partners will enable the company to flag drivers rapidly after an arrest or conviction. If police arrest a Lyft driver for armed robbery, for example, Lyft's partners will alert the company within 24 hours. The company will then revoke the driver's access to the Lyft app and sever their business relationship. 

Disqualifying offenses remain the same as they are during pre-hire screening. "Serious" violent crimes and assaults mean losing access to the Lyft platform, as does any three "minor" driving violations. 

According to The Drive, Lyft will also employ facial recognition technology to verify that the driver operating each vehicle is the same person that they cleared to work. Steps to validate the driver's license will take place at the same time. The company hopes that this new slate of changes will increase confidence from investors and clients. 

Though adoption of ongoing monitoring remains slow across many industries, businesses continue to recognize the valuable role it can play. The reasoning is simple: a clean background check today does not necessarily mean a clean report a year or two into the future. Clearing an employee’s past behavior is no guarantee that he or she won't commit a crime. Further, no business wants to face the potential legal pitfalls and liabilities that come from continuing to employ someone accused of a serious crime. Rapid notification allows employers to take appropriate actions without delay.

At backgroundchecks.com, we make it simple for businesses to employ ongoing criminal monitoring after completing an initial check on an individual. With rapid and clear results, this valuable service automates a process that may prove essential to the smooth functioning of your workplace. As more companies embrace continuous monitoring and the added confidence that it creates, explore how your business can benefit.