Background checks are without a doubt one of the most crucial tasks to do when hiring new employees. In this article, we will discuss the importance of employee background checks, along with other things that you should know. Always remember the phrase ‘it’s better to be safe than sorry’ when having second thoughts on whether you should conduct a paid or even a free background check for potential hires. Without further ado, let’s start:
What is a background check?
Basically, a background check is a procedure in which a recruiter or a company confirms that what a person stated is true. Background checks offer a chance for checking a person’s criminal history, schooling record, work history, as well as other previous actions to be able to verify their claims. Background checks are conducted on various things, like employee hiring, accepting new tenants, or buying a gun. Below, we will focus on the type of background check that is done on job hiring, also known as an employee background check.
Employee background checks
Employers perform employee background checks to prevent employing a person who has a high risk of becoming a liability to them. In accordance with the website HR.com, 96 percent of companies carry out more than one kind of recruitment background verification.
When do employers conduct background checks
Employment background checks are almost always conducted whenever a person sends their resume to look for a job. The reason for this is to guarantee that no risky person is accepted in the first place, which helps in reducing the rate of crimes and other unsavory activities in the workplace. Having said that, they can still be conducted at the discretion of the employer. For example, there are companies that require their employees to be checked yearly or once every 6 months. This is to make sure that no further incriminating activities are conducted after the initial background check. The background check conducted can include drug tests, as well as criminal background checks.
What information is needed for running a background check?
An employer will need the full name, birthday, Social Security number, address, as well as the permission of the person in order to conduct a background check. The permission requirement is not a problem, since most employers will require potential applicants to give their permission first before moving on to the next stages of the hiring process. Usually, an employment background check consists of details and reports that extend back to seven years, but there are places that will allow employers to look up to 10 years in the past. Check your local laws for more clarity regarding this area.
Other records that are listed in background checks
Aside from education information, work, and criminal record, there are other details that can be included in the employment background checks. These include (but are not limited to) the applicant’s credit history, report on road accident involvement, motor vehicle reports, medical record, social media usage, and drug record.
