A part of the Dallas-Ft. Worth metropolitan area, Wise County is northwest of the urban core and is home to about 68,000 people. Nearby counties include Cooke, Denton, Jack, Montague, Park, and Tarrant. Major employers in Wise County include Walmart, McDonald’s, and Dollar General.
Mostly a suburban area, Wise County is about an hour’s drive outside the center of Dallas. As a part of the greater metropolitan area, Wise may see more frequent movement of people into and around the area. Indeed, the county grew by more than 15% between the 2010 and 2020 census counts. Because of the frequent movement of people through metro areas, employers may be more likely to encounter applications from within Wise or other metro counties. An effective pre-employment screening policy demands an approach tailored to the unique aspects of major metropolitan areas.
Effective hiring in Wise County begins with efficient vetting. However, you must also be sure you abide by the laws that govern how and when businesses may use consumer reports, such as background checks to evaluate candidates. A written policy about how you will use these products is essential, as is an understanding of the relevant legislation.
Texas does not have a ban the box law that applies to private employers and generally does not place major constraints on how employers may consider applicants. Additionally, there are no rules restricting how employers may use drug tests for hiring purposes.
Because there are no specific state guidelines, employers in and around Wise must be confident in their understanding of federal law, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Remember: you must obtain an applicant’s consent to a background check and provide them with a standalone disclosure of your intent. Any adverse action you take due to a background check must follow the FCRA-defined process. Reviewing the latest EEOC background checks and workplace discrimination guidance is advisable.
With clarity about your obligations under the law, you can confidently start screening candidates. An initial effort encompassing as much of the Dallas metropolitan area as possible is a wise choice. The US OneSEARCH we provide can provide results from around Dallas and across the country as compiled and maintained by our professional team. With reports available almost instantly, you can immediately start evaluating candidates in greater depth. To see all our sources for the US OneSEARCH, please consult our coverage map.
For many reasons, consumer reporting agencies may not always be able to source information from every county directly. Wise County is one such location where obtaining criminal records requires additional steps. Wise County only provides misdemeanor criminal records through its county courts. You must use the Texas Department of Public Safety’s criminal history request to obtain felony records within Wise County. However, county-level court searches can still provide useful information when state records have not been updated.
Background reports sourced from county court records may include the subject’s:
Hire with greater confidence throughout the Dallas metropolitan area and Wise County when you have the appropriate tools and procedures for pre-employment background screening.