The Most Common Types of Background Checks in Singapore

There are many reasons why companies in Singapore need to conduct background checks on potential employees. One major reason is that they receive applicants with discrepancies between their work history, educational degrees, or other work related information. Background checks are a key part of any recruitment process. Hiring people on their declared merits alone is an ineffective strategy because it leaves you vulnerable to hiring the wrong person, with inauthentic credentials, who may pose a threat to your organization's reputation.

How long does an employee background check take in Singapore?

A Singaporean company is usually required to conduct a background check on employees before hiring them. This process can take up 1 day or a few weeks. The time taken for the background check may vary depending on the company's requirements, the type of background check, the information provided by the applicant, and the quality of the partner chosen to run the background checks.

Can employers check employment history?

Employers can check the employment history of a potential candidate in Singapore. They can do this by contacting the previous employer and asking for an employment reference. This is a common practice in Singapore and it is usually done before making a final decision on hiring someone. Employers have to be careful when they are checking the employment history of a potential candidate. It is suggested not to contact previous employers more than once, unless there is an urgent need to do so.

Academic Achievement Check (Education Verification) in Singapore

Is one of most requested types of background check in Singapore and ranks high on the scale in terms of discrepancies, compared with all other checks. The Singapore government has a process in place to ensure that foreign talent must achieve a certain qualification level before being able to work in the country. The academic achievement check has a high discrepancy rate because it includes people from various countries with academic qualifications who might not meet international standards or have attended schools from their home country that may have closed down.

Additionally, there may also be a level of fraud that exists with applicants in the country falsifying their educational history, so it is really an imperative for companies to conduct a thorough investigative process that includes verifying official school documents.

Expatriate Background Checks

Background Check is sometimes required for employees who are about to be transferred from Singapore to another country as part of an overseas assignment. The most common reason for this requirement is that the company does not want to take the risk of sending an individual abroad and then finding out later on that they have a bad record or some other form of background issue.

Education Background Check for Foreign Workers in Singapore

It's the responsibility of Singapore employers to make sure that their candidates' educational qualifications are genuine and have been awarded by accredited institutions. On the work permit (work pass) application, employers would need to submit a verification proof that proves the candidate has achieved the qualification from an accredited institution. This education verification can be done through a third company accredited by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).

Most Common types of Background Checks in Singapore

Aside from types of checks mentioned above, here are other types companies can consider:

1. Adverse Financial History and Credit Checks - it verifies if candidates have any outstanding debts or unpaid loans, which can be done through banks and credit agencies.
2. Employment History Check - it verifies if candidates have been fired from previous jobs or have been terminated for some other reason.
3. Global Sanctions Check - it validates if your potential employees don't appear on any sanctions watchlists, this can make it easier for you to comply with regulations like the AML act or the Patriot Act.

Consider Hiring a Third Party Company to do the Background Checks for your Company

Background checks are necessary and an important part of hiring new employees. If a company is not doing background checks, they are risking their company’s safety and security.

Background checks can be done in various ways, including through databases, interviews, and questionnaires. They can also be conducted by a third party company. A good background check company will have a team of experts who are well-versed with all aspects of the process and will provide you with the information you need in order to make an informed decision about hiring someone.

Hiring a third party company to do background checks can be beneficial for businesses because it takes the burden away from the HR / Talent department and saves them time to focus on other people and hiring priorities.

About Veremark Background Checking Service in Singapore

Successful and safe recruitment is dependent on carrying out the right checks to not only protect company and customer interests but also to satisfy compliance. Whether or not staff are permanent, remote, contract, part-time or full-time, staff have access to company property and data, as well as other staff or customers, putting business security and wellbeing at risk. This is why background screening is so important. We are facing a time when companies are in the highest demand and therefore must maintain high standards. Veremark is a leading provider of local and global background checks, offering 100% digital, 100% accurate checks for new and current staff members in all industries and sectors. Talk to us today about the benefits of carrying out your vital pre-employment checks using Veremark’s innovative and straightforward platform. Whether you're hiring one candidate or many, ensure safe hiring with employment checks that are fast, accurate, secure, and scalable. Every time.

Get Started for Free

Speak to our Sales Team‍