Criminal Background Checks: Compliance Essentials and Policy Considerations for Employers

Conducting criminal background checks is an important part of the hiring process, but it also presents significant legal considerations. Employers must balance workplace safety with compliance under federal, state, and local laws governing the use of criminal history in employment decisions.

In the July 2026 edition of Iron & Steel Technology magazine, Tucker Arensberg attorney Margaret Grimm explores the legal framework surrounding criminal background checks, including:

• EEOC guidance under Title VII
• Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requirements
• State and local “ban-the-box” laws
• Best practices for developing compliant hiring policies
• Lessons learned from EEOC enforcement actions

The article provides practical guidance for employers and human resources professionals looking to review or strengthen their background check policies while reducing legal risk.

Click here or on the button below to read the full Legal Perspectives column in Iron & Steel Technology.