Ultimate Guide to Employee Background Checks in 2022: What You Need To Know and How to Protect Your Business

Daniel Braithwaite

4 Aug

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What Employers Need to Know When Screening Candidates & Employees

There are many responsibilities that an employer needs to be aware of before hiring a new candidate or employee. It is important for the employer to make sure that they are doing their due diligence when it comes to screening candidates. They need to make sure that they are not discriminating against any group of people and making sure that the candidate is qualified for the position. They should be aware of the various legal obligations that they have towards their employees as well as the rights of their employees.

conducting background checks on current employees — Conducting background checks on current employees

Employers should also conduct a background check on potential candidates before hiring them. They need to make sure that they are hiring someone who will not pose any threat to the company in terms of security and stability.

The Necessity of Employee Background Checks

Background checks are an important part of the hiring process. They are used to ensure that the candidate is not a criminal and is a fit for the company. They are conducted by HR professionals to make sure that there is no criminal history or other negative information about the candidate and to ensure that they are hiring people who will not cause any harm or damage to the company in any way.

Background checks have been around for a long time, but their use has increased over the years. The reason for this is because of the increase in job applicants and an increased need to protect company assets.

reference checks before hiring — Reference checks before hiring

With the rise in technology, background checks have become more accessible. Background check providers now offer instant access to a person's criminal history, education history, employment history, driving records and more.

The process starts with researching and collecting information about an individual’s criminal history, education, employment, credit history, and references.

How Background Checks are being Implemented?

Background checks are conducted by authorized parties such as the federal government or private companies and organizations. They should be conducted in compliance with all applicable laws that govern both the employer and the authorized party conducting the search.

Background checks can be done through various ways, such as:

Third Party Company: Hire a third-party company that conducts background checks on your behalf and offers reports with information on the person's past
Self Service: Conduct your own background check by searching on different websites
In Person Interview: Conduct an in person interview with each candidate

third party reference check company — Third party reference check company

The process varies depending on the employer but it will typically include:

1) A request for information from the applicant

2) A review of any documents submitted by the applicant

3) A search of government records and databases

The Importance of Hiring a Professional Employee Screening Company

The hiring process is a crucial step in the life of any company. If a company hires the wrong person, it can lead to disastrous consequences. This is why it's so important to hire a professional employment screening company.

third party background check companies — Third party background check companies

Employment screening companies are professionals who specialize in screening potential employees for their suitability for a particular position. They provide the necessary background checks that employers need to make sure that their employees are who they say they are and have a clean history. They provide services such as background checks, criminal records, and reference checking. Some even offer financial screenings to make sure that your new hire doesn't have any outstanding debts or unpaid taxes.

Employers should not just rely on a simple Google search or social media profile check to make their decision. They need to hire a professional screening company that will give them accurate information about an applicant’s past and present.

Conclusion: Background Checks are a Must for Employers to Protect their Business

Background checks are necessary to make sure that potential employees or current employees have not committed any crimes. Background checks can help employers and employees ensure that they are hiring someone who is qualified for the position, who is trustworthy, and who will not cause harm to the company.

third party screening company — Third party screening company

Employers should always conduct background checks on potential hires and current employees because it helps protect both the employee and the employer from any harm. Background checks can help employers make sure that their new hire has a clean past, so they won't have to worry about any possible criminal activity in the future. It also protects employers from lawsuits because if a new hire commits a crime after being hired, it would be impossible for them to prove liability under negligent hiring laws.

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FAQs

What background check do I need?

This depends on the industry and type of role you are recruiting for. To determine whether you need reference checks, identity checks, bankruptcy checks, civil background checks, credit checks for employment or any of the other background checks we offer, chat to our team of dedicated account managers.

Why should employers check the background of potential employees?

Many industries have compliance-related employment check requirements. And even if your industry doesn’t, remember that your staff have access to assets and data that must be protected. When you employ a new staff member you need to be certain that they have the best interests of your business at heart. Carrying out comprehensive background checking helps mitigate risk and ensures a safer hiring decision.

How long do background checks take?

Again, this depends on the type of checks you need. Simple identity checks can be carried out in as little as a few hours but a worldwide criminal background check for instance might take several weeks. A simple pre-employment check package takes around a week. Our account managers are specialists and can provide detailed information into which checks you need and how long they will take.

Can you do a background check online?

All Veremark checks are carried out online and digitally. This eliminates the need to collect, store and manage paper documents and information making the process faster, more efficient and ensures complete safety of candidate data and documents.

What are the benefits of a background check?

In a competitive marketplace, making the right hiring decisions is key to the success of your company. Employment background checks enables you to understand more about your candidates before making crucial decisions which can have either beneficial or catastrophic effects on your business.

What does a background check show?

Background checks not only provide useful insights into a candidate’s work history, skills and education, but they can also offer richer detail into someone’s personality and character traits. This gives you a huge advantage when considering who to hire. Background checking also ensures that candidates are legally allowed to carry out certain roles, failed criminal and credit checks could prevent them from working with vulnerable people or in a financial function.