As an employer, you know that background checks are an essential part of hiring the right person for your company. People often access sensitive financial data, detailed company information, and so much more. With so many people applying for jobs these days, it’s more important than ever to make sure that your employees are trustworthy and competent before making them part of your team. But what do background checks actually do? And how can they help you build a safe work environment? Read on to learn more:
Background Checks Help You Avoid Hiring Criminals
People with a criminal background of theft, violence, and computer crimes can create challenges in a work environment. They become a liability and a risk even after they have served for their crimes. Background checks can be used to avoid hiring people who have been convicted of crimes, or have a history of violent or aggressive behavior. These types of criminal records are usually easily accessible through public records and court documents that are available online. A fast background check can give you the information you need to make these critical decisions about potential employees.
Background Checks Help You Hire the Best Possible Candidates
Background checks are an important part of hiring because they reveal a lot about your potential employees. You can learn about their education history, degrees, and college experience. You’ll also be able to glean information about their work history, including any previous jobs or internships held by the applicant. Of course, you’ll be able to see any criminal convictions or arrests on their record as well.
Background Checks Ensure Competency
Background checks can help you determine whether an applicant has the skills and experience to do a job. This is especially important for jobs that require a great deal of responsibility, such as working with money or handling sensitive information. If you’re hiring for positions where safety is a concern, such as construction sites or manufacturing facilities, it’s essential that your employees have proper training and experience in these areas.
Background checks will tell you if an applicant has any kind of criminal record that might make them unsuitable for this type of work environment and it should be a part of the onboarding checklist. They’ll also give valuable insight into their character traits. Did they lie on their application but their background check shows the truth? Honesty and integrity are important factors when deciding who gets hired at your business.
Background Checks Can Be Combined With Drug Testing
Background checks make sure your company doesn’t hire someone who can’t pass a drug test. Drug testing is a legal requirement in many states, and it’s important to make sure your company doesn’t hire someone who can’t pass a drug test. Drug testing can detect if someone has used drugs in the past, if they are currently using drugs, or if they’re addicted to them. If they have a drug history, then it’s especially important to consider whether this person should be working for you or not.
Background Checks Can Help Remove Bias
When everyone gets a background check, no one is being singled out for it. This removes the potential for bias in the hiring process. When a candidate is open about their criminal history, and a background check confirms what they already revealed, they may still be a great option for the role. Just because a candidate has a criminal record, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are a bad employee. They may have made mistakes in the past, but now they are trying to do better for themselves and their family.
Background Checks Can Reveal Other Financial Risks
The background check process can help you know whether an applicant has been involved in lawsuits or debt collection. By checking court records, you can see if the person has ever been arrested or sued in a civil case. These background checks can help ensure that your company is safer from potential fraud or other financial risks.
Background Checks Keep Other Employees Safe
You don’t want people with a history of violence who could harm your other staff. You are responsible for creating a safe work environment and doing background checks is one of the ways that you can do it. It creates peace of mind that other employees won’t need to worry about violent crimes against them.
