Located approximately an hour of travel time north of New York City and its metropolitan area, Putnam County is a small but affluent county home to about 98,000 people. Nearby counties include Dutchess, Orange, Rockland, Westchester counties in New York, and Fairfield County in Connecticut. Major employers include Wal-Mart, Home Depot, and ShopRite.
Putnam is a suburban county with close links back to New York City, and transit into the city for work is not uncommon. Within the county, growing communities continue to attract newcomers who need jobs upon settling in the area. Because of its place in the New York metro area, employers here may be more likely to encounter individuals from diverse points of origin. This variability enhances the importance of a thorough screening process. Understanding how to use background checks in this area is key to making smarter hiring choices.
Although Putnam County is geographically close to the core of the New York City metropolis, it is not a part of the city or its major surrounding counties. As such, NYC's very stringent and detailed "ban the box" law does not apply to employers here. New York State does not currently have a Fair Chance law on the books that applies to private employers state-wide; only state employment bans the box. Therefore, employers in Putnam County may ask applicants about criminal records and use background checks sooner in the process than those within New York City.
Be aware of your other legal obligations, however, such as the FCRA's standalone disclosure and consent-gathering requirements. Build a process for issuing legal adverse action notices and allow applicants time to respond. Doing so can ensure you continue to use background checks legally. Additionally, note that New York State does not allow for pre-employment drug testing for cannabis, nor the denial of a job because of a positive marijuana test.
Although it can be confusing at first to understand the different laws that apply to hiring in and around New York, learning now lets you move forward from a strong base. Once you've completed any necessary steps required by the law, such as obtaining applicant consent, you can begin vetting candidates. Most employers prefer to start with the broadest view possible before drilling down to specific county court records as needed. Our US OneSEARCH is the best fit for such a beginning, providing instant results from a continuously updated database of records nationwide. Our online coverage map has more information on our sources and available data.
Sometimes, certain states or individual counties will use their own systems rather than report to a state agency. Putnam County criminal records fall under this umbrella. Requesting criminal records here requires going through the New York State Office of Court Administration. Two types of reports are available: a multi-county search of the NYC metro counties, or a state-wide criminal history search. The fee for either solution is $95. You must use the OCA website to request a background check or send in a form by mail.
Background reports sourced from county court records may include the subject's:
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