Humans are the core assets of any business. That’s why employers are keen on finding the right people that will add value to their organization so they can thrive. However, finding new employees comes with a certain level of risk for several reasons.
First, many job applicants lie on their resumes or conceal important information about themselves just to gain an edge. However, it is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that potential employees are who they say they are to avoid a myriad of problems down the line. That’s why background checks are important.
What is a Background Check?
A background check is a comprehensive review of a person’s educational, financial (if applicable), and most importantly, criminal records. It typically includes education, credit history, criminal history checks, license records, and so on.
While background checks are required by the law, many employers put little effort into it. This can lead to several problems down the line.
The Importance of Background Checks
It is wise for employers to outsource checks to background check services because they have the expertise and experience to paint the true picture of a potential hire. Here’s how background checks can help employers make sound hiring decisions.
- Highlighting Criminal History
Employers must know the criminal history of potential hires as it can help determine the suitability of an applicant. Obtaining a police clearance like an australian federal police check can help employers find out the past criminal activities of a potential hire.
- Avoiding Liability
Imagine a company hires a truck driver without a proper background check. Few weeks down the line, the driver gets involved in an accident while driving under the influence. After police investigations, it comes out that the driver had previously committed three DUIs. The employer is going to be held liable because of their negligence. A background check prevents that from happening.
- Providing Safe Work Environment
Employers have a responsibility to make the work environment as safe as possible. Therefore, a violent person or sex offender makes for terrible hires. But without a comprehensive background and screening checks, it’s impossible to uncover such behaviors; especially if the person hasn’t been formally charged before.
- Ensuring Job Competence
It’s no news that most applicants lie or, at least, embellish the truth in their resume. A comprehensive background check includes an educational check to confirm they have the knowledge they claim to have. Furthermore, talking to former employers can help HR managers in assessing an applicant’s competence.
Conclusion
In the end, it all comes down to peace of mind. Employers want to hire the best candidates that will positively contribute to the growth of their organization. While it’s true that the employment screening process is hectic and stressful, it is worth it. Conservatively estimates place the financial loss due to a bad hire to be around $15,000. Comprehensive background checks help employers make smart hiring decisions.
