Mastering Employee Background Checks: A Comprehensive Guide
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Many applicants look ideal on paper, but their resumes contain exactly the experience you need. These applicants conduct interviews like professionals and impress the interviewers with their big smiles. They say exactly what the company wants to hear, even if they lie flat out.
Many applicants get off scot-free because employers fail to do the necessary due diligence. When the lies come to light, it is too late, costing the company time and money and affecting employee morale.
According to Background Hawk, the right background checks can quickly tell you about an applicant's criminal history and credit report.
Benefits of background checks
Once the applicant has signed the background check consent form, a properly conducted background check can begin. This allows the company to:
- Make informed hiring decisions by providing comprehensive information.
- Reduce risk in the workplace by investigating the applicant's criminal background to prevent workplace violence.
- Verify applicant's certifications, education, experience and identity.
- Reducing the risk of litigation and negligent hiring claims as an employer. This is the case if an employer should have exercised due diligence to recognize that an employee poses a serious risk of being hired.
There are different types of background investigations. Choosing the right combination depends on the industry and the needs of the company.
Types of Background Checks for Employment
Identity verification
It is important to ensure that the applicant is using their own identity and not a stolen identity. Employers can use identity verification to confirm that applicants are who they say they are.
These identity checks verify a variety of information such as name, address, date of birth, social security number, initial fraud reports, and active duty fraud alerts.
Criminal background checks
Vigilant employers also conduct criminal background checks as part of the hiring process. This is particularly important if the position to be filled allows access to sensitive financial data, security tasks and proximity to vulnerable groups such as the elderly or children.
Employee background checks typically include federal, state and county arrest records, court records, sex offenses, misdemeanor and felony convictions, arrest warrants, records, acquitted, pending and dismissed charges.
Credit checks
A credit check will reveal reported tax liens, debts, bad credit, and other money problems that indicate irresponsible money management. A credit check is typically required for positions that require security clearance, access to finances, and sensitive customer and company information.
A credit check could identify individuals who pose a higher risk of fraud and other crimes, particularly for candidates applying for positions in finance or tasks involving confidential information.
Applicants must have the opportunity to explain negative credit reports.
MVR reports
Any employer that requires employees to drive company cars or transport customers should check motor vehicle records to identify safe and responsible drivers.
Professional License and Education Reviews
If you are looking to fill a position that requires a specific level of education or certification, you should review applicants' licenses and education. Verify all formal qualifications and professional licenses provided by applicants with the issuing institutions.
Fingerprint background checks
Applicants for positions involving sensitive clients, security clearances, or company information should undergo fingerprint screening. The fingerprint data is collected by the FBI and stored in the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System.
E-Verify Background Checks
This exam checks the applicant's Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) to ensure that they are eligible to work in America.
Short and sweet
Employers can lose a lot of time and money if they fail to conduct required background checks on current and potential employees. Companies can avoid taking undue risks and benefit from conducting background checks on potential new hires.
Enhance your hiring process with comprehensive background checks. Don't risk costly mistakes – prioritize due diligence. Discover more with IceHrm.
