Can an employer obtain a blanket consent from job applicants to conduct consumer reports during employment?

An employer can indeed obtain a blanket consent from job applicants to conduct consumer reports during employment, and this is a standard practice under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The FCRA allows organizations to seek consent from individuals to access their consumer reports for employment purposes, including background checks.

A blanket consent means that the employer can inform job applicants that they will conduct consumer reports not just for the hiring process but throughout the duration of their employment. This is permissible as long as the employer clearly discloses the intended use of the reports and that the applicants have provided their consent voluntarily.

It's important for employers to ensure that their consent forms are compliant with the FCRA requirements, which include informing the applicants that reports may be obtained and providing them with a summary of their rights under the Act. This does not require notarization of the consent form or mandatory annual reviews of consent, making those additional options unnecessary in this context. The key is ensuring proper disclosure and obtaining clear consent.