Sterling is doing everything in our power to continue serving you and carrying out our mission of providing the foundation of trust and safety you need to create great environments for your most essential resource, people.
In light of the growing impact of the novel Coronavirus, COVID-19, the Sterling team has been enacting the necessary contingencies for our business operations throughout the world. For more information, visit https://www.sterlingcheck.com/covid-19/.
As with all unforeseen events, Sterling’s global screening and identity services continue to stand apart thanks to our automation technology and partner relationships. We are committed to providing our clients every opportunity to make fast, accurate and safe hiring decisions. To avoid business disruption given this evolving situation, please note the following actions:
- Criminal Searches. To view U.S. court closures in greater detail, please login to your account, click on Help & Resources, and search for COVID-19. Despite courthouse closures, Sterling is completing most of our criminal searches. Although response strategies vary by jurisdictions, if criminal data can be collected, we will. If a criminal record search cannot be completed due to a court closure, Sterling will close the search indicating, “This search cannot be fulfilled at this time as the court is temporarily closed”. As an alternative solution where U.S. counties permit, you have the option of utilizing a statewide search to fulfill orders at an additional cost. Or, you can choose to re-run searches at no additional cost once the court reopens. For questions about alternative solutions, please reach out to your Sterling Client Success partner.
- Civil Searches. If a civil search can be completed without in-person research, Sterling will do so. For any civil search that requires in-person court research, Sterling will close as “Unperformable.”
- Drug and Health Services. Sterling is working diligently with our partners to ensure continuity of our drug and health services. Please note:
- While we do our best to proactively communicate testing site updates in collaboration with our valued partners, the landscape of COVID-19 is rapidly changing. Although Patient Service Center (PSCs) testing sites provided through Quest, LabCorp, and Concentra are not collecting samples or testing for COVID-19, we strongly encourage clients and candidates to contact sites prior to testing to confirm appointment availability, wait times, and hours of operation. Please note that several of our lab partners are providing additional accommodations, such as:
- LabCorp and Quest are reserving the first hour of operation for those over 65 years old and for those who have health conditions.
- LabCorp launched a “Wait While You’re Comfortable” program to provide candidates the flexibility to wait in their vehicle until the technician is ready for their appointment. Learn more here.
- In addition, our lab partners have assured us that the health and safety of their employees and patients is of utmost importance. All of our lab partners are proceeding with workplace drug test collections using standard safety and hygiene protocols while diligently following best practices set by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Department of Transportation (DOT) websites. LabCorp is also reserving the first hour of operation for those over 65 years old.
- While we do our best to proactively communicate testing site updates in collaboration with our valued partners, the landscape of COVID-19 is rapidly changing. Although Patient Service Center (PSCs) testing sites provided through Quest, LabCorp, and Concentra are not collecting samples or testing for COVID-19, we strongly encourage clients and candidates to contact sites prior to testing to confirm appointment availability, wait times, and hours of operation. Please note that several of our lab partners are providing additional accommodations, such as:
- Education Verifications. Since the majority of colleges and universities are verified through our automated National Student Clearinghouse system, you will experience minimal impact. If the entity is found to be temporarily closed (and depending on your account set-up), Sterling will either 1) reach out immediately to obtain this information from you or the candidate, or 2) the search will be closed indicating, “This search cannot be fulfilled at this time as the entity is temporarily closed.“
- Employment Verifications. If an employment verification can’t be completed through automation, Sterling will either 1) reach out immediately to obtain this information from you or the candidate, or 2) close the search indicating, “This search cannot be fulfilled at this time as the entity is temporarily closed.“
- Fingerprinting Services via Sterling Identity. The Sterling Identity Network, comprised of 700+ fingerprinting kiosks at The UPS Stores nationwide, is taking reasonable precautions to minimize the spread of COVID-19 by pausing fingerprinting services temporarily until further notice. Employers can choose to move forward with the background check process without fingerprint results, or wait for the service to return to normal. We advise candidates to contact the agency or employer that requested the fingerprint service directly for guidance on the best course of action. For businesses required by law to fingerprint candidates and employees, many states and federal agencies have started issuing relief guidance in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. We recommend contacting the relevant agency to discuss your specific situation. Sterling also offers on-site fingerprinting devices as an alternative solution, should you be required to continue fingerprinting.
- Motor Vehicle Records. While Sterling fulfills most of our MVR check services electronically, we anticipate delays for requests that require manual processing for the following situations:
- Access to Pennsylvania MVR records that require forms to be mailed is on hold through March 31, 2020. Anyone applying for electronic access to Pennsylvania MVRs will be processed in April.
- Access to Puerto Rico MVR records is on hold through March 31, 2020.
- Access to Virgin Islands MVR records is on hold until further notice.
Please check back here for updates. If you have any further questions, please reach out to your dedicated Sterling Client Success partner. Thank you for your continued trust in Sterling.