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Located on the far eastern side of Long Island, Suffolk County is a dense area that is also a part of the New York metropolitan area. Its close proximity to the other boroughs of New York means it is highly connected to the urban area. Suffolk County has a population of about 1.5 million, making it one of the state's largest. Nassau County is adjacent to Suffolk. Major employers here include New York Life and Home Depot.
Due to its status as a part of the New York metro area and the short distance to Manhattan, many people may leave the urban core to seek jobs in this area. As a result, employers will encounter a variety of individuals with varying levels of suitability. Making certain that you select smart, safe hires in such a complex environment means taking greater care screening applicants to see if they'll be a good fit. During this process, you should consider the value of using criminal background checks to better understand your candidate.
Background checks are a regulated form of consumer reporting. As such, there are some rules you must follow when using background checks, including federal law such as the FCRA. As a best practice, you should create a written policy defining a procedure that complies with federal and local law.
Although Suffolk County is close to New York City, it does not fall under the City's strict Fair Chance Act. Instead, Suffolk has its own ‘ban the box’ law in place that is less stringent. To use background checks, you must first complete the application process and carry out an initial interview with the candidate. After this interview, you can gather the candidate's written consent and begin.
Additionally, state law prevents employers from using drug tests for cannabis as a condition of employment for most jobs.
Once you've taken the appropriate steps to ensure your compliance with the law in Suffolk County and New York state, you begin choosing the tools you'll use for vetting. A wide-ranging look at nationwide criminal records is the best place to begin before you drill down to specific areas. Our US OneSEARCH streamlines this process, drawing from a continuously maintained database of records we've collected from state systems across the country. Visit our coverage map for full source information.
Not all states, counties, or cities make it simple for employers to access criminal records, despite their status as public records. Due to these restrictions, backgroundchecks.com does not have direct access to records in some locales. Suffolk County is among these exceptions. In New York, background checks that refer to records throughout the state must go through the New York State Office of Court Administration. There is a $95 fee for a statewide criminal history check.
Background reports sourced from county court records may include the subject's:
Make hiring in Suffolk County simple and easy with the resources you need to fully vet your candidates and verify the information they provide.
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A Virginia state background check can uncover more criminal records. Learn about these tools and the legal restrictions involved.