One in 20 job applicants subject to a background check in 2008 had a criminal record in the prior seven years, according to the results of the Twelfth Annual ADP Screening Index. The findings were based on more than 1.7 million criminal background checks. Automatic Data Processing also found that 9 percent of nearly 5.5 million background checks performed last year found an adverse record such as criminal history or credit and driving records.

The survey showed that in eight key industries construction and retail had the highest percentage of applicants with criminal records at 9 percent. With 4 percent, healthcare and the lowest followed by business services and transportation with five percent.

The transportation industry had the most favorable credit and accurate reference data while applicants at auto dealerships had the highest percentage of discrepancies between the information provided by applicants and those provided by sources, at 59 percent.

Auto retailers also had the largest share of drivers with records that had one or more one or more violations (43 percent) while the hospitality industry had the highest percentage of past workers compensation claims (21 percent); and also with adverse credit information (62 percent).