Employment background screening helps employers determine the quality of a prospective employee. It reduces the risk of hiring the wrong person, alerts employers to omitted information, and ensures workplace safety. However, employers should be aware of the privacy of job applicants. In addition, they should always obtain the job candidate’s consent before conducting a background check.
Ensures safety in the workplace
Employment background screening is one of the most important aspects of hiring new employees. The use of this screening can reduce the risk of workplace violence. The process reveals any criminal history or other red flags that might disqualify a potential hire for a safety-sensitive position. In addition to reducing the risk of hiring someone with a criminal history, employment background screening can help organizations reduce the risk of litigation arising from negligent hiring.
An EEOC survey found that approximately three-fourths of organizations use employment background screening. Nearly two-thirds of these organizations operate in multiple locations across the United States. Despite recent media coverage, workplace violence continues to plague the workplace. Even though workplace homicide is rare, it is the second-leading cause of workplace deaths for both men and women. About 80 percent of workplace violence incidents are simple assaults. Studies have estimated that workplace violence costs companies $55 million annually.
Reduces the risk of hiring a wrong person
The cost of a bad hire is enormous – it can cost an organization thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars a year in lost productivity and morale. This is why it’s essential to hire the right people. The first step in hiring the right person is creating a detailed job description. Detailed job descriptions will attract qualified candidates and save you time and money. A job that doesn’t clearly outline all duties and responsibilities will result in unqualified candidates.
A wrong hire is expensive – it can cost an organization 1.5 to 3.5 times the employee’s annual salary, plus all the time and money spent on training and orientation. The best way to reduce the risk of hiring the wrong person is to take the time and expense to interview prospective employees carefully and thoroughly.
It helps determine the quality of a candidate
Background checks are a great way to get objective information about a potential employee, and they can help you get a picture of the person beyond the resume and interview. It is also essential to understand that organizations have a moral responsibility to provide a safe workplace, and not screening their workforce can leave them vulnerable to workplace risks. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that nearly two million people suffer from workplace violence yearly, so having a background check is essential.
The background screening includes various methods, including identity verification, criminal history, educational background, and employment history. These services help employers verify the applicant’s identity and verify past addresses and names. In addition, they can confirm previous employment and verify the candidate’s salary. Finally, they can look up a person’s work history to determine whether he is eligible to be rehired. These tools can also help employers to identify a person’s social media presence.
Social media can reveal information about the candidate’s personality and think. These tools help employers hire quality employees. For instance, a social media check can help uncover discrepancies between a candidate’s social media postings and resume.
