Employee Background Checks

In the modern world of work pre-employment background checks are becoming increasingly more common, particularly for positions which involve having direct access to sensitive information, or those which require a certain degree of financial responsibility.

Why background checks on employees are important, and how to run a check.

Background checks can reveal all sorts of information about a person’s character and past, and can come in useful when ascertaining whether an applicant is the right choice for a vacancy. They can also be used in order to uncover any inconsistencies in an applicant’s CV. Essentially, background checks are valuable in that they help employers to choose the right applicant for the position.

Why make a background check?

Employee background checks are important in order to ensure that potential employees aren’t being economical with the truth. Choosing an employee who turns out to have lied on a CV can be a costly process for a business, and background checks are one of the simplest ways of ensuring that everything is above board. In some instances the level of responsibility given to an employee might be reasonably low and therefore won’t warrant a particularly excessive level of background checking. Despite this, it’s still important to have a clear idea of who your business is employing, for any number or reasons. Of course, positions which require a much larger degree of responsibility will require thorough background checks. A typical background check will reveal the following:

The involvement of an applicant in any illegal activities, including any unspent convictions relevant to the role.

It’s important to have a clear understanding of a person’s history of involvement in illegal activities, particularly if those activities make them unsuitable for the position applied for (for example, a person with a history of drug abuse or violence would not be an ideal candidate for a position involving the care of vulnerable people).

Unsubstantiated qualifications or certificates

Increasing numbers of employers are reporting prospective employees applying for positions with bogus qualifications. It’s important to ascertain that a person is adequately qualified to perform the tasks required of them.

Gaps in employment history

Although it’s relatively normal for people to have short gaps in employment during times of recession, any long gaps which remain unpunctuated by any work whatsoever (even in a voluntary capacity) might be a cause for concern.

References

Background checks are useful for obtaining references from an applicant’s previous employers, whether they’re positive or negative. Most people will only list positive referees on their CV, and a background check is a useful way of finding more.

Suspect documentation

Any documents which may not be genuine or lack any supporting paperwork can be revealed via a background check.

Unsubstantiated CV/application form claims

Some applicants may attempt to cover any gaps in employment with bogus jobs, or perhaps extend the length of their employment with a previous employer.

A background check and an interview will usually provide a business with enough information about the character and history of a potential employee, as well as their nationality and immigration status. Credit reports will provide additional assurance that an applicant has no significant debt or credit problems which could potentially affect their working duties or place them into a vulnerable position. Putting all the information together provides the most effective approach as discussed further employee screening.

How do I make an employee background check?

Performing your own background checks can consume a lot of time and resources, which is why it’s often a better idea to use a suitable agency to perform such tasks. ConsumerCheck.com offers a comprehensive employee background checking service, including credit checks. In order to undertake a credit check, a consumer credit license is required in order to access sensitive credit file data, which is why choosing an agency can prove so valuable, as it provides access to information otherwise unobtainable.