Importance of screening/background check for prospective candidates
There was a time when background security checks were limited to high profile jobs in government security. However, the world has become competitive and jobs are scarce almost everywhere. What has happened is that many applicants now make up resumes that contain misleading or false information. There are candidates who even apply with false credentials. Thus, today most businesses are encouraged to perform to background screening checks on prospective employees. While this may sound like an onerous and expensive task, in the long run it can save the company a lot of headache and litigation expenses, if the employee turns out to be rogue. It is important to understand that while background checks are done to rule out any negative things in prospective employees, the checks also allow the company to hire the best candidates that fit into the company. Another advantage of a screening for background check is that it lowers the turnover of employees and any related expenses. The checks also limit the company’s liability to claims of negligent hiring if an untoward event was to occur with the employee.
So when should a background check be performed?
Experts say that the ideal time to perform a back ground check is after the application process has been completed and the potential candidate has a conditional job offer. It is imperative that the employee not be allowed to work until the process of background check is complete.
It is important for businesses not to have a routine pre-employment screening program in place because this can discourage excellent applicants who may have a minor negative event in their past from applying. Some prestigious and high profiled companies do have pre-employment background checks because it allows them to screen and verify credentials of candidates before the interviewing process. This way the company only invites selected bona fide candidates for the interview-it also saves a lot of money on travel and lodging expenses. If background checks are not done, then terminating a new employee who has false or misleading credentials can prove to be a costly affair.
There are several types of background checks available to employers. One may use data from the national sex offender list, national criminal data bank, driver’s abstract reports and even the terrorist watch list. There are also consumer reporting agencies who can help obtain information on potential employees. However, when using Consumer Reporting Agencies, employers also have to comply with any applicable province laws and abide by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Employers should be aware that any criminal or credit check inquiry may be limited by Federal guidelines on Equal Employment Opportunity Commission as well as applicable provincial laws.
The best practice to initiate a program of pre-employment background checks is to consult with a lawyer, who is familiar with the Province’s rules and requirements.
Conducting background checks is no longer an option for most business in today’s work environment – they are a necessary if the organization wants the best qualified candidate every time.
Importance of screening/background check for prospective candidates
There was a time when background security checks were limited to high profile jobs in government security. However, the world has become competitive and jobs are scarce almost everywhere. What has happened is that many applicants now make up resumes that contain misleading or false information. There are candidates who even apply with false credentials. Thus, today most businesses are encouraged to perform to background screening checks on prospective employees. While this may sound like an onerous and expensive task, in the long run it can save the company a lot of headache and litigation expenses, if the employee turns out to be rogue. It is important to understand that while background checks are done to rule out any negative things in prospective employees, the checks also allow the company to hire the best candidates that fit into the company. Another advantage of a screening for background check is that it lowers the turnover of employees and any related expenses. The checks also limit the company’s liability to claims of negligent hiring if an untoward event was to occur with the employee.
So when should a background check be performed?
Experts say that the ideal time to perform a back ground check is after the application process has been completed and the potential candidate has a conditional job offer. It is imperative that the employee not be allowed to work until the process of background check is complete.
It is important for businesses not to have a routine pre-employment screening program in place because this can discourage excellent applicants who may have a minor negative event in their past from applying. Some prestigious and high profiled companies do have pre-employment background checks because it allows them to screen and verify credentials of candidates before the interviewing process. This way the company only invites selected bona fide candidates for the interview-it also saves a lot of money on travel and lodging expenses. If background checks are not done, then terminating a new employee who has false or misleading credentials can prove to be a costly affair.
There are several types of background checks available to employers. One may use data from the national sex offender list, national criminal data bank, driver’s abstract reports and even the terrorist watch list. There are also consumer reporting agencies who can help obtain information on potential employees. However, when using Consumer Reporting Agencies, employers also have to comply with any applicable province laws and abide by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Employers should be aware that any criminal or credit check inquiry may be limited by Federal guidelines on Equal Employment Opportunity Commission as well as applicable provincial laws.
The best practice to initiate a program of pre-employment background checks is to consult with a lawyer, who is familiar with the Province’s rules and requirements.
Conducting background checks is no longer an option for most business in today’s work environment – they are a necessary if the organization wants the best qualified candidate every time.