We've discussed previously how the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) represents a significant opportunity, offering up to $9,600 per eligible hire. Yet many organizations leave money on the table. Not because they lack qualifying candidates, but because they overlook critical employment details that determine eligibility.
At Universal Background Screening, we've seen how seemingly minor oversights in employee classification and hour tracking can derail otherwise solid WOTC strategies. The difference between maximizing your tax credits and missing them entirely often comes down to understanding exactly why employment details matter.
The Foundation: Getting Employment Classification Right
W-2 status isn't just an administrative detail, but a ... Read More
Press Releases and News Archived
21
Oct2025
20
Oct2025
In industries like healthcare and staffing, the margin for error is razor thin. A single oversight in a background check can result in regulatory fines, reputational damage, or harm to patients, candidates and clients. At Universal Background Screening (UBS), compliance and risk mitigation form the foundation of everything we do.
Why Compliance Keeps Getting Harder
Background screening providers face growing scrutiny across the industry. Several companies have dealt with class-action lawsuits in recent years for errors and misreporting, often caused by inaccurate or outdated data pulled from secondary databases. These errors harm candidates and expose employers to serious legal and reputational risk.
At ... Read More
14
Oct2025
Every dollar counts when you're running a business. Yet many employers are unknowingly leaving substantial federal tax credits on the table that could significantly impact their bottom line while supporting meaningful workforce diversity initiatives.
The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) represents one of the most underutilized business incentives available. This federal program rewards companies that hire individuals from targeted groups, including veterans, long-term unemployed workers, and individuals receiving public assistance. With credits worth up to $9,600 per eligible hire, the financial impact can be transformative for businesses of all sizes.
The challenge? Most organizations lack the systematic approach needed to identify qualifying ... Read More
10
Oct2025
The staffing industry has always run on tight margins and high expectations. But lately? The pressure's intensified. You're competing against firms that'll undercut you on price without blinking. Your clients want faster placements but stricter compliance. And candidates? They expect a hiring experience that doesn't feel like they're applying for a mortgage.
If you're feeling the squeeze, you're not alone.
The Real Cost of Competing on Price Alone
Let's talk about the race to the bottom. Every staffing professional knows there's always someone willing to go cheaper on fees; and often, that means cutting corners on pre-employment screening or candidate quality. The problem ... Read More
07
Oct2025
PHOENIX, AZ — October 7, 2025
Universal Background Screening (UBS) has announced a new partnership with VerifyToday, expanding its suite of employer solutions to include the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) program — a federal incentive designed to reward businesses for hiring individuals from targeted groups that face barriers to employment.
For many organizations, the WOTC program represents a significant yet often overlooked opportunity: employers can receive up to $9,600 per eligible hire, but complex compliance requirements and short filing windows often make it difficult to capture those savings.
Through this partnership, UBS clients can now access a fully managed WOTC solution that ... Read More
06
Oct2025
Background screening gives clients confidence in their hiring decisions by delivering the clearest, most complete picture possible. At UBS, we've built our reputation on going deeper than standard searches, combining cutting-edge technology with investigative curiosity and the speed today's hiring timelines demand.
Why We Do This Work
At its core, background screening helps people land the right role. Every search we conduct provides clarity and facts. The goal: give clients the information they need to make confident decisions, fast.
The UBS Difference
UBS explores peripheral jurisdictions because revealing records show up in unexpected places. A candidate might have traveled somewhere for work, spent time ... Read More
03
Oct2025
Customer success at UBS shapes every interaction, every product, and every outcome we deliver. The foundation of our approach comes from understanding what it's like to be on the customer side, managing vendors and experiencing firsthand the frustrations and needs that organizations face when selecting and working with background screening partners.
Building on Real Customer Experience
UBS prioritizes proactive communication, reliability, and building trust by anticipating problems before they impact your business. This commitment stems from a deep understanding of what clients actually need and the challenges they navigate daily in their hiring and compliance processes.
The UBS Partnership Philosophy
UBS is committed to ... Read More
30
Sep2025
The phone call came in on a Tuesday morning. A healthcare client needed to verify the credentials of three critical hires by Friday. A tight deadline that could make or break their ability to staff a new clinic opening. Five years ago, this request might have sent verification teams scrambling. Today, it's a routine Tuesday at Universal Background Screening, where years of process refinement have created the balance between speed and accuracy that modern organizations demand.
This scenario plays out daily across industries. Staffing agencies race to fill positions, healthcare systems ensure patient safety, and financial services firms maintain regulatory compliance. ... Read More
22
Sep2025
At Universal Background Screening (UBS), excellence in workplace drug testing services and compliance isn't the work of a single individual. It's the combined strength of an experienced, innovative, and client-focused Drug Testing and Occupational Health (DTOH) team. Together, these professionals are raising the bar for workplace safety, regulatory compliance, and employee well-being, setting UBS apart in a competitive industry.
A Team Built on Experience and Innovation
The UBS DTOH team brings together over a century of collective senior leadership experience in drug and alcohol testing program management. Their expertise spans the full spectrum of workplace compliance, from policy development and employee education ... Read More
19
Sep2025
Compliance isn't the fun part of hiring. Between industry best practices, federal regulations, and state-specific requirements that seem to change overnight, keeping up can feel like a full-time job on top of your actual full-time job.
We get it. At Universal Background Screening, we've seen HR teams juggling spreadsheets in the eleventh hour, trying to figure out if their screening process will pass their upcoming audit. We've talked to hiring managers who've had great candidates slip away because their background checks took too long to complete. And we've worked with companies scrambling to fix long-standing compliance gaps they just discovered they ... Read More
16
Sep2025
At Universal Background Screening (UBS), we know our customers depend on us not only to deliver accurate background checks, but also to help them stay ahead in an environment where compliance, safety, and risk management grow more complex every day. We're thrilled to share details about our expanding partnership with SambaSafety.
Together, UBS and SambaSafety are shaping a smarter approach to risk management. By combining the expertise of two trusted leaders, we're giving our customers access to new tools and insights that make it easier to protect people, strengthen compliance, and create safer workplaces.
Why the Partnership Matters
Employers today can't afford blind ... Read More
27
Nov2023
HRO Today magazine has named Universal Background Screening the #1 Enterprise Background Screening Firm in HRO Today’s 2023 Customer Satisfaction Ratings. This year marks 14 consecutive years, Universal has been recognized as a top screening firm in HRO Today’s annual Baker’s Dozen Customer Satisfaction Rankings (client-based survey) for Pre-Employment Screening. Universal is the only screening firm being awarded for 14 consecutive years!
HRO Today’s survey is the largest and most prestigious award in the pre-employment screening industry. A very important element to this survey is that it is completely based on customer feedback, with over 1,200 HR professionals taking the survey that included 50 background screening providers. ... Read More
28
Dec2022
HRO Today magazine has ranked Universal Background Screening as a top Enterprise Background Screening Firm in HRO Today’s 2022 Customer Satisfaction Ratings for Enterprise Background Screening Firms.
2022 marks the 13th year in a row Universal has been recognized as a top screening firm in HRO Today’s annual Baker’s Dozen Customer Satisfaction Rankings for Pre-Employment Screening in their client-based survey.
HRO Today’s survey is the largest and most prestigious award in the pre-employment screening industry. A very important element to this survey is that it is completely based on customer feedback, with almost 1,000 HR professionals taking the survey. The survey measures ... Read More
21
Dec2021
HRO Today magazine has awarded Universal Background Screening the #1 Enterprise Background Screening Firm in HRO Today’s 2021 Customer Satisfaction Ratings. This year marks 12 years in a row Universal has been recognized as a top screening firm in HRO Today’s annual Baker’s Dozen Customer Satisfaction Rankings for Pre-Employment Screening.
HRO Today’s survey is the largest and most prestigious award in the pre-employment screening industry. A very important element to this survey is that it is completely based on customer feedback, with over 1,200 HR professionals taking the survey. The survey measures screening providers in different dimensions with “Quality of Service” ... Read More
16
Jul2020
Universal Background Screening Acquires OPENonline: Universal Background Screening (“Universal”), headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Ohio-based OPENonline, a leading provider of employment background checks and investigative services. The combined company, which will operate under the Universal brand, will leverage deep industry expertise and award-winning scaled operations centers and advance Universal’s position as the nation’s leader in background screening.
“We are excited to have OPENonline join Universal. The synergy was compelling: both companies are members of the select 6% of background screening providers that are accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA), and both companies ... Read More
11
Dec2019
Universal Background Screening named #1 Enterprise Background Screening Firm in HRO Today Customer Satisfaction RatingsHRO Today magazine has announced that Universal Background Screening was awarded the #1 Enterprise Background Screening Firm in the magazine’s 2019 Customer Satisfaction Ratings. This year marks the 10 year in a row Universal Background Screening has been recognized as a leader in HRO Today’s annual Baker’s Dozen Customer Satisfaction Rankings for Pre-Employment Screening.
HRO Today garners feedback from the clients of the rated Employment Screening service providers through an annual online survey. By far the largest and most prestigious survey in pre-employment screening services, ... Read More
17
Dec2018
Universal Background Screening Named Pre-Employment Screening Enterprise Leader by HRO Today MagazineIn the largest and most prestigious study of employment background screening services in the Human Resource Trade Media, Universal Background Screening was named a Pre-Employment Screening Enterprise Leader for overall customer satisfaction. This marks the 9th consecutive year that Universal has been recognized in the annual Baker’s Dozen report.
HRO Today magazine, the publisher of the Baker’s Dozen Customer Satisfaction Survey, recently released the results based on a comprehensive survey completed by over 1100 human resources professionals about their experience with 67 of the leading background check providers. ... Read More
23
Jul2018
Workforce Magazine “Hot List” Recognizes Universal Background Screening for 9th Consecutive YearPhoenix, AZ, July 23, 2018 – Universal Background Screening has been recognized by Workforce Magazine among its “Hot List” of Background Check Providers, marking the ninth consecutive year that the publication has included Universal in their annual list.
Workforce Magazine covers the intersection of people management and business strategy, helping HR professionals approach their jobs from a more strategic, big-picture, business-results perspective. The publication’s Hot Lists feature top providers of products and services for the human resources industry.
Universal Background Screening offers businesses certainty in the employment process through ... Read More
13
Dec2017
Universal Background Screening Named #1 Background Screening Provider by HRO Today Magazine.In the largest pre-employment background screening study in the Human Resource Trade Media, Universal Background Screening was named the #1 Provider for Quality of Service.
HRO Today magazine, the publisher of the annual Baker’s Dozen Customer Satisfaction Survey, recently released the results based on surveys completed by over 850 employer representatives about their experience with background check providers. Among the rankings, which include breadth of service, size of deal and quality of service, Universal was named as the #1 Provider for Quality of Service and the second-highest ... Read More
01
Dec2016
Universal Background Screening Named #1 Background Screening Provider by HRO Today Magazine.
In the largest pre-employment background screening study in the Human Resource Trade Media, called the HRO Today Bakers Dozen Customer Satisfaction Survey, Universal Background Screening was named as the #1 Overall Background Screening Provider.
Each year, HRO Today Magazine invites thousands of Employers to participate in the independent study, which is focused on three specific areas: breadth of service, size of deal and quality of service. Those Employers, who are verified corporate users of background screening services, responded to a 30 question survey based on their experience with Screening ... Read More
03
Dec2015
Universal Rated Top Background Check Provider in National Employer Satisfaction Survey for 6th Consecutive Year.
In its recent annual employer survey, HRO Today magazine, a leading publication for human resource decision makers, recognized Universal Background Screening as a top provider of background screening services in the United States. This recognition marks the 6th year in a row that Universal has been named to HRO Today’s Bakers Dozen rankings.
As the largest employment background screening customer satisfaction study in the trade media, the HRO Today’s Baker’s Dozen rankings evaluated 42 Screening firms basing the results solely on feedback from over 700 employers ... Read More
30
Sep2014
Universal Background Screening named to Workforce Magazine’s “Hot List” of Background Check Providers for 5th Consecutive Year.
Universal Background Screening, Inc. is pleased to announce that it has been named to Workforce Magazine’s 2014 “Hot List” of background screening providers. This marks the fifth consecutive year in a row that Universal has been recognized by the prominent human resources and talent management publication.
Workforce Magazine covers the intersection of people management and business strategy, focused on senior-level human resources executives in the 2,500 largest employers in America. The publication’s editorial focus is to help these talent management decision makers ... Read More
24
Jan2014
Universal Background Screening Rated Top Screening Provider in National Employer Satisfaction Survey.
HRO Today magazine, a leading publication for human resource decision makers, has recognized Universal Background Screening as a top provider of background screening services in the United States in its annual employer survey. The recently issued report marks the 4th consecutive year that Universal has been recognized for its consistently superior services.
The magazine’s Baker’s Dozen Customer Satisfaction Ratings of Employee Screening Providers is based on data obtained through surveys about employer experiences with screening providers. The scoring model includes such metrics as quality of service, breadth of service ... Read More
14
Oct2013
Universal Background Screening named to the 2013 “Hot List” of Background Check Providers.
The annual list published by Workforce Magazine marks the fourth consecutive year recognizing Universal among the top screening providers in the United States
Universal Background Screening, Inc. is pleased to announce that it has been named to Workforce Magazine’s 2013 “Hot List” of background screening providers. Universal has previously been named to this list each year for the past three years.
Workforce Magazine covers the intersection of people management and business strategy, focused on senior-level human resources executives in the 2,500 largest employers in ... Read More
21
Dec2012
TargetRecruit.net Announces Background Check Integration with Universal Background Screening.
TargetRecruit.net, a leading provider of CRM based Applicant Tracking System (ATS) for the staffing and recruiting industry has announced that it has partnered with Universal Background Screening for an integrated background screening solution.
The integration will simplify the background screening process for recruiting and staffing firms that place a high priority on staffing quality candidates. The integration also represents a major integration for the healthcare staffing industry, where credentialing, verification and criminal background checks make up a significant part of the recruiting and hiring process.
The integration ... Read More
22
Oct2012
Universal Background Screening Achieves Industry Accreditation.
Universal Background Screening announced that the National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS®) has recently accredited the company to be in compliance with the Background Screening Agency Accreditation Program. The association’s Background Screening Credentialing Council awarded the accreditation to Universal on August 9, 2012.
Each year, employers in the United States request millions of background checks to assist with critical hiring decisions. These reports, which are categorized as consumer reports, are regulated at both the federal and state level. Universal is among a select few screening firms ... Read More
02
May2012
Universal Background Screening, Inc. named to Workforce Management Magazine's 2012 "Hot List."
Universal Background Screening, Inc was recently named to Workforce Management Magazine’s 2012 “Hot List” of Background Screening Companies. Universal has been named to this list each year for the past three years.
Universal Background Screening, Inc. is pleased to announce that it has been named to Workforce Management Magazine’s 2012 “Hot List” of background screening providers. Universal has been named to this list each year for the past three years.
“We are honored that Workforce Management included us on this list of top background screening providers, ... Read More
17
Nov2011
Universal Background Screening Rated #1 Screening Provider in National Employer Satisfaction Survey.
HRO Today magazine, the leading publication for human resource decision makers, has recognized Universal Background Screening as the Number One provider of background screening services in the United States in its annual employer survey.
The magazine’s Baker’s Dozen Customer Satisfaction Ratings of Employee Screening Providers is based on customer survey data that is collected and published by HRO Today magazine. The scoring model includes such metrics as quality of service, breadth of service and size of customers. Universal was named the overall top ... Read More
29
Sep2011
Universal Background Screening Announces Taleo Enterprise Passport Certification.
Integrated Solution Provides On-Demand Background Checks for both Taleo Enterprise and Business Edition Customers
Universal Background Screening, an award-winning national provider of background screening services, is now certified by Taleo to provide integrated background checks through the Taleo Enterprise platform. Universal’s pre-integrated capabilities enable Taleo customers to seamlessly submit background check requests, obtain paperless candidate authorization and disclosure forms, and view completed background check results.
The Enterprise Edition integration builds upon Universal’s integration with Taleo Business Edition and membership in the Taleo Solution Exchange, while utilizing Universal’s HR-XML Consortium-certified integration ... Read More
23
Feb2011
Workforce Management Names Universal Background Screening to its “Hot List” for Second Year in a Row
Workforce Management Names Universal Background Screening to its "Hot List" of Background Check Providers.
Workforce Management magazine recently named Universal Background Screening to its 2011 “Hot List” of Background and Screening Providers. This is the second year in a row that the award-winning human resources publication has featured Universal in its national ranking program.
“Our mission is to deliver high quality background checks through innovative, easy-to-use technology, while providing a high level of personal customer service that consistently exceeds our clients’ expectations,” said Ryan Krostue, CEO of Universal Background Screening. “To be recognized for the second year ... Read More
30
Nov2010
Universal Background Screening Receives National Recognition as Top Provider Based on Customer Satisfaction.
Universal Background Screening has been recognized in the November issue of HRO Today magazine as one of the top three providers of background screening services in the United States. Universal’s score in the HRO Today customer satisfaction survey comes nine months after the company was recognized by Workforce Management magazine in that publication’s “Hot List” of employment related screening providers.
The Baker’s Dozen Customer Satisfaction Ratings of Top Screening and Assessment Providers are based on customer survey data that is collected and published ... Read More
28
Jun2010
Universal Background Screening Partners with VerifyToday™, An Automated Solution for Managing Employment and Income Verifications.
Automated Verification of Employment and Income
With the focus on employment, unemployment, and the employee life cycle at all-time highs, the noise is unbelievable. Everyone has been feeling the strain over the past couple of years. Your HR department is no exception. The calls, emails, paperwork, and organization needed to understand and manage all the complexities and compliance rules can be overwhelming.
That’s where VerifyToday comes in
The VerifyToday platform works seamlessly with your payroll data to provide instant access to wage & employment ... Read More
25
Jun2010
Universal Background Screening Announces Integration with Taleo Business Edition.
Universal Background Screening, Inc., a leading provider of employment background checks, drug testing, physical exams, and compliance management solutions, today announced that it successfully deployed several integrations with Taleo Business Edition.
The Universal-Taleo Business Edition integration and strategic alliance, established last year, brought together Taleo’s leading on demand talent management solution for small to medium sized businesses with Universal’s comprehensive background screening solutions supported by industry-leading customer service. The pre-integrated solution enables mutual clients to access Universal’s full suite of employment background checks including criminal record checks, employment ... Read More
24
Jun2010
Universal Background Screening to Exhibit at the SHRM 2010 Annual Conference and Exposition.
Universal Background Screening, a leading provider of employment background screening, drug testing, physical exams, and compliance management solutions, today announced that it will exhibit at the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Annual Conference and Exposition to be held in San Diego, CA on June 27th through 30th.
SHRM is the world’s largest association devoted to human resource management. Representing more than 250,000 members in over 140 countries, the Society serves the needs of HR professionals and advances the interests of the HR profession. The SHRM Exposition ... Read More
06
Apr2010
Universal Background Screening Announces Results of Client Satisfaction Survey, Including 99.8% Client Satisfaction with the Company’s Customer Service.
Universal Background Screening, Inc., a leading provider of employment background screening, drug testing, physical exams, and compliance management solutions, today announced the results of its annual Client Satisfaction Survey.
Universal takes pride in its commitment to delivering a high level of customer service, a unique approach to dedicated account management and industry-leading turnaround time. According to the survey:
Universal scored a 99.8% client satisfaction rating for its level of customer service. 92.8% of clients answered that they are ... Read More
18
Feb2010
Universal Background Screening Recognized by Workforce Management in "Hot List" of Employment Related Screening Providers.
Universal Background Screening, Inc., a leading provider of employment background screening, drug testing and physical exam services, today announced that Workforce Management magazine named the company to its 2010 “Hot List” of employment related background screening providers. The magazine annually ranks the top providers in the background screening industry, which includes over 1,000 local, regional and national providers according to the National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS).
“We are thrilled to be recognized by Workforce Management magazine as a stand-out company ... Read More
26
Jan2010
Universal Background Screening Expands with Opening of Los Angeles Office.
Universal Background Screening, Inc., a leading provider of employment background screening, drug testing and physical exam services, today announced that the Company opened a satellite office in the Los Angeles, California area and added staff to all areas of the company.
To continue to meet the needs of its clients, Universal Background Screening opened an office in Woodland Hills, a suburb of Los Angeles. Universal is poised for strong growth and its new office space, along with the Company’s new headquarters and Operations Center in Phoenix, accommodate the hiring of additional ... Read More
22
Dec2009
Universal Background Screening Selected as Exclusive Background Screening Provider of the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association.
Universal Background Screening, a leading provider of employment background screening services, today announced that it has it has renewed its exclusive relationship with the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association (AzHHA), Arizona’s largest healthcare association. Under the agreement with the AzHHA Service Corporation, Universal will continue to be the Preferred Vendor for background screening services to the Association’s members.
For more than thirty years, Universal Background Screening has focused on providing the healthcare industry with comprehensive, Joint Commission compliant background screening solutions. ... Read More
02
Dec2009
Universal Background Screening, Inc. Adds to Its Management Team and Moves its Phoenix Corporate Headquarters.
Universal Background Screening, Inc., a leading provider of employment background screening services, today announced that the Company added a Vice President of Sales and a Vice President of Marketing to its Senior Management Team. Universal also announced that it has completed its planned move of its Corporate Headquarters in Phoenix.
Universal recently hired David Nadell as its Vice President of Marketing and Alan Lasky as its Vice President of Sales. Alan and David have both been in the background screening industry ... Read More
