Makes Sure Your Employees Are The Best And Consider Doing Background Checks
We’ve all been fooled by a smooth talker at some point in our lives. We’re only human. When hiring a new employee, you need to resist the urge to fall in love with a charmer before you conduct an applicant background check designed to safeguard your organization’s assets, reputation, and employees.
Criminal History Review
One of the most important things you need to know about any prospective employee is whether they have a criminal history. Granted, there are minor offenses that may not make a difference to hiring managers, but there are other serious crimes committed that could put your company at risk. TransUnion Shareable reports that about 25 percent of background checks contain criminal behavior. Now you know that being paranoid is a good thing.
While a marijuana possession from 25 years earlier for a 45-year-old accountant may not be a major concern for hiring managers, a theft conviction would certainly impact a hiring manager’s consideration of that particular bean counter. Many companies draw a definite line between felonies and misdemeanors.
Even misdemeanor charges may be relevant information. One good example of a scenario where this would matter might be for a person with a history of multiple Driving Under the Influence misdemeanor charges who is applying for a driver position. Questions about the safety of the public and your company vehicle would most certainly come to mind.
Verification of Identity, Work Experience, and Education
Self-Employed.com suggests that the only way a company can verify an applicant’s work history and education is by conducting an applicant background check. We have all heard stories about applicants using a bogus resume with bald-faced lies in print designed to get the job. Before hiring an unqualified and incompetent person who will be in a position to compromise your company, it makes much more sense to verify that they have the necessary experience.
You can’t be too careful when it is time to extend an offer to a new employee. Background checks can identify the posers who talk a good game without any real experience to back it up. We’ve all met people who embellish so it is good to know upfront who these people are.
Credit Checks Reflect Financial Stability
Credit checks are helpful for determining how responsible an employee is with their own finances. In certain positions where the money is being managed, this information is important. Poor credit scores may not matter for many jobs, but it can definitely provide critical insights into a person’s strengths and weaknesses.
Conclusion
TransUnion Shareable cites a CareerBuilder survey that reported that a bad hire has negatively impacted about 27 percent of employees costing them more than $50,000. With these types of statistics available, it is clear that smart employers must be careful about who they hire. Background checks are the safest way to get facts about a potential employee’s work experience, criminal history, and credit report.