Sterling in the News
Breaking News
Heightened Awareness - The compliance challenges of government regulations are putting organizations on edge.
As employers have to comply with ever-increasing, ever-changing hiring requirements from the federal government, state government and now even municipalities, screening vendors are filling a critical need to ensure employers’ policies and procedures are up-to-date to minimize lawsuits, heavy fines, and penalties—not to mention keep their workplaces as safe as possible.
OIG releases special advisory bulletin regarding the effect of exclusion and screening best practises
The OIG released a Special Advisory Bulletin regarding the Effect of Exclusion from Participation in Federal Health Care Programs. The OIG concedes that the last substantial source of guidance on these issues was a Bulletin published back in 1999, and since then, it has received numerous questions about exclusion.
Colorado Restricts Use of Credit Reports for Employment
On April 19, 2013, Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper signed S.B. 18 which restricts most Colorado employers from considering applicants or employees credit histories. An employer cannot require an individual to consent to obtaining consumer credit information for employment purposes unless...
Retailers Track Employee Thefts in Vast Databases
Facing a wave of employee theft, retailers across the country have helped amass vast databases of workers accused of stealing and are using that information to keep employees from working again in the industry... “That is not a product that we sell, because I think it’s a product fraught with risk and inefficiency,” said William Greenblatt, the chief executive of the background-check company Sterling Infosystems.
Updates to Section 19 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act
Section 19 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act prohibits a person convicted of a criminal offense involving dishonesty, breach of trust, money laundering or has entered into a pretrial diversion program from participating in the affairs of an insured institution without first obtaining a waiver from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. On December 11, 2012 the FDIC modified the de minimis exceptions regarding the potential fine and the number of days of imprisonment. Individuals who don’t fit into the exceptions must obtain any waiver from the FDIC.
New Massachusetts Law Requires Staffing Firms to Give Written Notice Regarding Jobs to Temporary Workers
Effective January 31, 2013, temporary staffing agencies in Massachusetts must provide temporary employees with written notice of certain information before the employees can go to a new assignment for work. The new law also prohibits staffing agencies from charging temporary employees for certain items and services related to employment.
New Massachusetts Law Requires National Background Check for Teachers and Child Caregivers
Massachusetts recently enacted new legislation that will require fingerprint based Federal Bureau of Investigation and CORI background checks for teachers, child care workers and school bus drivers. Other individuals that will require background checks under the new legislation include any individual who will have the potential for unsupervised contact with children; subcontractors and laborers on school grounds; and all household members who are 15 years old or older, or any person regularly on the premises, in a family child care program. Background checks on new individuals must be completed before the 2013-2014 school year. Existing individuals will need to complete them within 3 years.
The full text of the legislation can be found here.
January 1, 2013 - Updates to FCRA Forms
At Sterling Infosystems, maintaining compliance with Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) regulations is our highest priority. To that end, on September 27th, 2012, we sent out a notice that there were important upcoming updates to our forms in order to reflect recent changes in Fair Credit Reporting Act enforcement from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). However, since the time the notice was sent, the CFPB has mandated further changes that have made it necessary for us to update our forms once again...
North Carolina requires background checks on all child care providers
Effective January 1st 2013 North Carolina requires county, state and federal fingerprint background checks on all child care providers (including residents of in-home child care locations who are over 15 years old) prior to employment and every three years thereafter. Previously the law only required staff members to have criminal history checks. The background checks are conducted by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services through the State Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Sterling Named on National Client Satisfaction List for Third Consecutive Year
We are excited to announce that Sterling has been named on HRO's 2012 Baker's Dozen Employment Screening Customer Satisfaction Ratings list for the third year in a row!
Newark, New Jersey Enacts Ban The Box Legislation Applicable To Private Sector Employers
Effective 11/19/2012, The City of Newark New Jersey Municipal Council recently passed a new ordinance designed to help those who were previously incarcerated find employment. This ordinance, which Mayor Booker did not veto, is effective 11/19/2012, covers all private sector employers with 5 or more employees who employ persons, or take employment applications within the City of Newark, and also pertains to the rental, lease or sublease of real property and licensing by the City.
New York Tightens Protections on Social Security Numbers
Tuesday, August 21, 2012. A person may not be required to disclose or furnish his or her Social Security Number (SSN) for any purpose under a new law signed by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. The new law safeguarding SSNs (A.8992-A/S.6608-A) applies to employers and certain other entities in the state. It adds new section 399-ddd to the General Business Law of the Empire State and becomes effective December 12, 2012 (120 days from enactment).
Businesses must review their practices with employees, customers and other individuals in situations where all or a part of the Social Security Number is involved...
Sterling Makes Crain's 50 Fastest Growing Companies List!
Sunday, June 24, 2012 - Sterling is excited to announce that we have made Crain's Fast 50! The list was open to privately held companies in the New York City area…
Vermont joins growing number of states restricting use of Credit Checks for Employment purposes
Effective July 1, 2012, Vermont joins California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Oregon, Washington, as jurisdictions which restrict an employer’s right to obtain and use credit information for making employment decisions...
EEOC Issues New Enforcement Guidance on Use of Arrest and Conviction Records in Employment
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has approved, by a 4-1 vote, a revised Enforcement Guidance on the Consideration of Arrest and Conviction Records in Employment Decisions under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Guidance is effective immediately. Before disqualifying an individual with a criminal record from employment, the Commission emphasizes, employers should engage in an individualized assessment involving a dialogue with that individual. While the Guidance states that employers would not violate Title VII if they disqualify an applicant based on separate federal restrictions on the employment of persons with criminal records, an employer may not defend a decision to disqualify an individual solely on state restrictions on the hiring of persons with criminal records...
Sterling Infosystems Acquires Checkwell Solutions Corporation (“BackCheck”)
Thursday, April 19th 2012. Sterling Infosystems, Inc., a company owned by management and Calera Capital, a San Francisco based private equity firm, today announced it has acquired Vancouver, Canada based BackCheck. BackCheck, a provider of background checking products and services, is the market leader in Canada and one of the largest providers in the United Kingdom...
Sterling Infosystems Acquires Key Competitor AISS from Acxiom
Monday, December 5th, 2011 - Employment Background Screening Company Sterling Infosystems Becomes the Second Largest in the Industry...
Sterling Infosystems the ONLY GLOBAL background screening company in the 2011 Inc 5000
Monday, August 22nd, 2011 - Inc Magazine announced the 2011 members of their celebrated Inc 5000 -- a list of the most successful, entrepreneurial, private companies in the United States. Sterling Infosystems is proud to announce that it is the ONLY GLOBAL background screening company selected as a member of the Inc 5000. The Sterling team is excited to be acknowledged as a rare company that can have global scale and entrepreneurial character.
Sterling is also excited to see many of its valued customers included on the list!
Click here to read more from our Breaking News Archives
Press Releases
Sterling Infosystems Names Clare Hart President
New York – May 6, 2013 – Sterling Infosystems, the world’s most trusted background check company, today announced the appointment of Clare Hart as president. Hart is well known as an innovator and leader in the world of interactive data and business information services.
August 21st, 2012: Due Diligence Background Investigations on Hedge Fund Managers in Latin America: What to Know, Where to Look and What to be Aware Of
When considering a potential hedge fund investment in emerging markets such as Latin America, it is imperative to work with an experienced professional to navigate the often murky waters of due diligence.…
June 26, 2012, Sterling Makes Crain's New York Fast 50 List
Sterling Infosystems, Inc., the world’s largest company focused entirely on background screening services, today announced it has earned the #30 spot on Crain's first New York Business Fast 50 list...
May 1, 2012: Sterling Infosystems Selects Cleveland Metropolitan Area for New Regional Headquarters
Sterling Infosystems, Inc., today announced it will open a new regional headquarters in Independence, OH. After careful consideration, the company selected the Cleveland area over Virginia, Georgia, and various other locations. Sterling is the largest background checking companyin North America...
April 19, 2012: Sterling Infosystems Acquires Checkwell Solutions Corporation (“BackCheck”)
Sterling Infosystems, Inc., a company owned by management and Calera Capital, a San Francisco based private equity firm, today announced it has acquired Vancouver, Canada based BackCheck. BackCheck, a provider of background checking products and services, is the market leader in Canada and one of the largest providers in the United Kingdom. Sterling, already one of the largest background checking companies in the world, is now the largest within North America and is well positioned for future growth...
February 3, 2012: Sterling Infosystems Completes Acquisition of AISS
Sterling Infosystems, Inc., a company owned by management and Calera Capital, a San Francisco based private equity firm, announced that it has completed the acquisition of Acxiom Information Security Services (AISS), a leading background screening company, from Acxiom Corporation (Nasdaq: ACXM). This important milestone expands Sterling’s already robust technology and service team with a new group of talented people, innovative products, and unique screening options.
William Greenblatt, Founder and CEO of New York City based Sterling, said “The acquisition of AISS is a pivotal point in Sterling's history as it has well positioned us for future growth”...
December 5, 2011: Sterling Infosystems Acquires Key Competitor AISS from Acxiom
Employment Background Screening Company Sterling Infosystems Becomes the Second Largest in the Industry
William Greenblatt, Founder and CEO of New York City-headquartered Sterling, said “The acquisition of AISS, one of our largest competitors, is a pivotal point in Sterling's history because it will make us the second largest background screening company in the world. It will furthermore allow AISS to realize its full potential by being part of a company that is solely focused on what AISS is focused on – background screening.”...
September 9, 2011: Background Screening Company Sterling Infosystems acquires Colorado-based Tandem Select
Sterling Infosystems Inc., the third largest background screening company in the world, announced today it has acquired Tandem Select, a leading background screening company based in Fort Collins, CO. The acquisition brings together two of 2011's Inc 5000 fastest growing companies.
William Greenblatt, Founder and CEO of New York City-headquartered Sterling, said "In addition to Tandem's renowned customer service excellence, this acquisition will allow their focus and skill in product innovation to complement Sterling's initiatives and global influence. We're very excited about what this will mean for the future of the background screening industry."...
June 26, 2011: Next Generation of Background Screening to be Offered Exclusively by Sterling
Sterling Infosystems Inc., the third largest background screening company in the world, announced that they will become the exclusive distributer of Social Intelligence Hiring, a pre-employment social media screening solution developed by Social Intelligence Corp. Beginning today Sterling will offer social media hiring services to its customers and other background screening companies, allowing for state-of-the-art screening in an FCRA compliant system.
Social Intelligence Corp prides itself on being able to discover previously unknown talents, awards, and achievements of candidates through publicly available online content, as well as assist in screening undesirable applicants by uncovering relevant information that human resource professionals may legally consider in the hiring process...
March 8, 2011: STERLING INFOSYSTEMS Inc. unveils change in its UK Trading Name from "APERION SCREENING" to "Sterling Infosystems Limited"
Aperion Screening Limited, which was acquired by Sterling Infosystems, Inc. last July, has announced that it is changing its name to Sterling Infosystems Limited.
Over the six months following the acquisition, Aperion and Sterling, a leading provider of employment background screening services, have worked diligently to integrate the businesses. The objective of the transaction, and now the name change, is part of a long term strategy to provide clients with a truly global and integrated screening solution, which will be best in class...
Click here to read more from our PRESS RELEASES Archives
Sterling Sentinel
Published quarterly as a service to our customers, The Sterling Sentinel provides the latest compliance updates related to criminal history checks, employee drug screening, credit checks and other facets of background screening, as well as valuable insights into issues facing the HR community.
Winter, 2013 Issue - Read this issue now.
Includes: FCRA Updates, Medical Examiner Certifications, State Compliance Updates for Massachusetts, North Carolina and Ohio; 2013 Complimentary Webinar Schedule, The Bishops Report
Fall, 2012 Issue - Read this issue now.
Includes: The Bishops Report; Consent and Disclosure Form Update; Upcoming Complimentary Webinars; FCRA Notices; State Compliance Updates for Minnesota, Nebraska and New Jersey; International Spotlight on the UK
Summer, 2011 Issue - Read this issue now.
Includes: Sterling participated in the June, 2011 SHRM conference held in Las Vegas, NV. and announced the next generation in background screening, “Sterling Social Media”. Sterling Infosystems can now provide clients with a service to conduct social media screening in a non-?discriminatory and FCRA compliant manner.
Spring, 2011 Issue - Read this issue now.
Includes: Sterling attends the annual NAPBS conference; service spotlight on Maiden Name and Alias name search; International spotlight on the UK; auditing a DOT Employer’s Substance Abuse program; and, Compliance Questions of the Quarter.
Winter, 2011 Issue - Read this issue now.
Includes: Message from President Richard Seldon; California Bill 909; Maryland consumer reporting agency limitations; substance abuse testing focus – Minnesota; Compliance Questions of the Quarter; and more.
Fall, 2010 Issue - Read this issue now.
Includes: Background Screening Focus on New Mexico; timely information about the Massachusetts CORI system; details of the upcoming restrictions to credit checks in Illinois; Drug-Free Workplace - An Effective Policy; and, Compliance Questions of the Quarter.
Summer, 2010 Issue - Read this issue now
Includes: Background Screening Focus on Maryland; New Oregon Credit Check Limitations; HHS & DOT Drug Testing Revisions and, Compliance Questions of the Quarter. (*new numbering begins with this issue).
Spring, 2010 Issue - Read this issue now.
Includes: the Jackson Lewis Help Line; Complimentary Webinars; the NAPSB; Background Screening Focus on Texas; Negligent Hiring/Retention; DOT Drug Testing Revisions; Substance Abuse Testing Spotlight on Iowa; Other Compliance-based Products; and, Compliance Questions of the Quarter.
Winter, 2009 Issue - Read this issue now.
Includes: a Message from the CEO; Complimentary Webinars; the Jackson Lewis Help Line; Hawaii Prohibits Discrimination Based on Credit History; Article 23-A NY; Why Random Substance Abuse Testing is so Important; Substance Abuse Testing Spotlight on North Carolina; Other Compliance-based Products; and, Compliance Questions of the Quarter.
