Landing a job is difficult, primarily because of the tight competition in the job market. Job applicants need to stir employers’ interests to be successful candidates through a unique, strong, and attractive resume. Due to this, many consider misrepresenting themselves or lying on their application.
As an employer or hiring manager, your priority is to hire candidates with high potentials that align with your company’s needs. Aside from an effective and proper hiring process, here are the reasons why doing background checks on your potential hires to ensure the best interest of your company:
1. Enhance Safety in the Workplace
Among the biggest reasons to conduct a background check on your potential hires is to avoid harm or legal liability to the company or others, such as other workers or customers. It’s not unusual to hear instances in the workplace about sexual harassment or violence of an employee to a colleague. And by the time they bring up the issue to the authorities, the defense claims there was negligent hiring.
Other possible threats in the workplace as a result of failure to conduct background checks are:
- The company, through financial loss or image and other reputational issues
- The public by negligent driving of an employee
- Customers by sexual or physical assault and shaming on business premises
2. Improved Quality of Hire
At least 67% of respondents in a survey said that the quality of their hires improved after conducting a background screening. Background checks help in finding out about false information on resumes. If applicants lie about their criminal history, certifications, education, and employment eligibility, it could result in a poor hire, costing the company legal, financial, and regulatory risks.
3. Enhanced Regulatory Compliance
Regulatory compliance means the company’s adherence to laws, guidelines, regulations, and other specifications relevant to its business processes. Without a background investigation on potential hires, the organization could face costly fines, legal damages, and loss of privileges.
Background checks meet industry standards and state or federal requirements, which differ from state to state and job position.
4. Maximize Productivity
In most cases, previous performances are a strong indicator of a candidate’s future performance. It can also reveal their professionalism, job skills, productivity, and interpersonal communication abilities.
What’s Included in the Background Investigation?
Employment background investigation is litigation support, which is a process of finding criminal records, financial records, and personnel files on an individual before hiring them. With a background check, employers can know about a candidate’s character, past transgressions, fitness for the job, etc. Based on their position, background investigators include to search the following:
- Gaps in educational history
- Gaps in employment history
- Academic verifications
- Identity and address verification
- Character reference check
Background Investigation and the Law
The major challenge in conducting an employment background investigation is federal law. Employers are legally permitted to run a background check on job applicants but have to adhere to the laws, like when or how to conduct the said background investigation. There should also be a proper notification and written disclosure for those inquiries about character references or personal opinions and verifications of public record sources.
When looking for an investigation agency, look for those with experience in the employment background investigation. Some investigators only specialize in specific areas of background checks, such as personal matters. Also, choose an agency that professionally handles your calls and meetings.
Ask for testimonials and reviews from their previous clients since they will be handling some of your most sensitive information. If a business offers a wide range of services, chances are they have a long history of experience that honed their skills. Click this link for results-oriented background investigation services.
