Located southwest of Chicago and around the bend of Lake Michigan, Porter County is a medium-sized county in the Chicago metropolitan area with a population of about 173,000. Nearby counties include Jasper, Lake, LaPorte, and Starke. Major employers in the region include US Steel, Pratt Industries, and Northwest Health Porter.
With an industrial base that arrived in the 1960s and survived much of the de-industrialization of the 20th century, Porter County maintains a healthy mixture of economic opportunity in a populous metro county. Owing to its industrial job openings and proximity to other counties in the Chicago metropolitan area, employers here and elsewhere are more likely to encounter job applicants from other counties. Likewise, Chicago-area businesses may be more likely to field applications from individuals across the border in Indiana. Building a hiring process that can safely vet these individuals is critical.
The interconnected nature of many metropolitan areas, especially close to urban cores, means that it is often simpler for individuals to move with increased frequency. Some people move through the metro searching for an affordable cost of living and a reliable job, while others do so in an attempt to leave behind the burden of a criminal record in one locale. In a large metro area such as the Chicago region, employers must exercise additional caution and consider how they build their background check policy. To select the best candidates and reduce the risks of negligent hiring requires a more thorough approach.
Though this may seem like an immensely time-consuming task, modern solutions for smart employee vetting make it simpler to complete due diligence with as few delays as possible. With reporting tools from backgroundchecks.com, most employers can obtain reports for their review within minutes of submitting their order.
However, it is important to remember that background checks for employment are subject to some significant regulations as a type of consumer reporting. Although Indiana does not have a "ban the box" law and, in fact has prohibited local communities from enacting one, employers must still observe the disclosure and communication requirements laid out in the Fair Credit Reporting Act. For employers across the border in Illinois, denying someone a job based solely on a conviction is illegal if you cannot demonstrate a clear connection and risk. The state and the City of Chicago have "ban the box" laws requiring you to delay background checks until later in the hiring process.
Indiana does not regulate pre-employment drug testing or post-hiring random drug testing, and no changes are expected in the near term. Employers should review the FCRA, monitor for any changes to state laws, and create a written policy that fully details how you will use and evaluate background checks.
With a legally compliant and consistent procedure for vetting candidates, you can select the right solutions for your business. Start with the US OneSEARCH to instantly access millions of records professionally compiled and maintained nationwide. The US OneSEARCH returns rapid results for most counties and states in the country, including Porter County. View our online coverage map for full details about our sources throughout the Chicago metro.
A broad point of view is a good starting point, but a county court record check provides a closer look at a candidate's background throughout the Chicago metro area. By adding multiple county record searches into your background check package, you can minimize the risk of overlooking important information. Simultaneously, you can access the most up-to-date information on open, pending, and recently concluded criminal cases in the Chicago area.
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Improve your hiring procedures and ensure proper due diligence today with support and solutions from backgroundchecks.com.