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Things every employer should know about background screening - A Rough Guide

Be careful. Check first.

These are simple, natural and common sense rules that apply to whatever you undertake – from buying a fridge to hiring an employee. It is important to know how the process benefits you.

If you are new to the hiring practice here is a quick guide of points to consider when carrying out employee background screening for your company.

Create a Policy

That clearly lays out the objectives, methodology, tools, type of information you can look for and use. In short publish an understandable document so that there is no confusion for the HR staff or among the employees.

Give Screening Importance
Because a bad hire can cause financial losses, damaging lawsuits, endanger the safety of employees and the health of the business. Nearly one-third of bankruptcy cases are the result of employee fraud.

Be Consistent

Apply the background screening policy evenly and not in an ad hoc manner. Do not discriminate or show favouritism. Treat all employees – potential or current – the same. Your consistency could come under legal examination.

Reasonable Care

Not carrying out proper background screening could result in ‘negligent hiring.’ Employers can be held accountable for hiring and retaining an employee who causes harm or carries out criminal acts in the workplace.

Prevention Better Than Cure

Using a background screening process is one of the best ways of protecting the company against lawsuits. Employers only lose about 70% of the ‘negligent hiring’ cases brought against them.

Myths of Criminal Checks

Nation-wide criminal record search. This is untrue. Criminal record checks have to be carried out the old-fashioned way – on the ground and locally. There are numerous There are several online databases but they are not comprehensive and have to be combined with other methods to get reliable results.

Improve Profitability

Background screening ensures you increase productivity through hiring employees with the right skills, better work habits and attitudes.

Legal Boundary

You are entitled to get as much information possible on potential employees. However, ensure that it is acquired by legal means and that you do not cross any legal lines.

A Best Practice

Companies that are careful about whom they hire and are willing to invest in quality employees will attract the best talent. It will also speak well of you in the wider business world.

When you have a great Background Screening process and checks you script a happy ending for your company.