Why the Need for Background Checks?

Cherie — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:00:56 +0000

What Is Background Checking?

As the name implies, it is the process of scrutinizing the personal history of a person. This is done by scanning official and commercial records. In the past, one could do a background search by enlisting the aid of the local police. Motor vehicle reports were a prime method of obtaining at least some information. Today, private companies have compiled huge databases of public records and they offer to do background search on people for a fee. The idea is get this done for the consumer at the lowest price possible.

Background checking is most often done when a person applies for a job. Let’s face it, employers want to hire people they can trust. They rely on these people to handle their merchandise and cash receipts. They don’t hire them to walk away with it!

The necessity of a background check is even more pronounced when a person applies for a sensitive position, such as jobs which will put them in close contact with children and the elderly. People who are applying for government posts often need security clearances and this a whole different level of checking backgrounds.

The Why

Consider these figures and you will see why it is important for companies and the government to employ background checks:

1 in 32 grownups in the United States has a criminal record
There are about 6 million threats of violence in the workplace every year
2 million workplace assaults occur every year
13 people die every week as a result of workplace violence
36 percent of applications are falsified

With these facts, it is not surprising that companies do a background check on applicants. Imagine those jobs which impact you occassionally. Who is this cable guy/gal? Can I trust them in my home? Do I need to be around them as they do their work? Are they potentially violent? If I turn my head, will they walk-off with anything? Actually, you are putting your trust in the cable company and hoping that they ran a background check on this employee.

The Why Not

While there are a lot of valid reasons for companies to check the background of applicants they are interested in hiring, there are also several factors why some companies forego this process. One reason is that it takes some time and money to do a background check. Thus, small companies tend to give up background checking.

On the other end of the spectrum, some employees are against background checking believing that it is a form of invasion of privacy. Another reason being put forward by people opposed to background checking is that people might not be able to land a good job for doing something stupid during their youth. Another could be the belief that a background check could result to illegal discrimination based on the past of a person or the people he or she is associated with in the past. Discretion is the better part of valor!

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Screening – Helps Ensure Hiring Worthy Candidates

Cherie — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:52:45 +0000

In today’s world, pre-employment screening is absolutely necessary. This precautionary measure ensures prospective employess have the required skills, educational qualifications, work histories, personal records, and answered all questions honestly. Unfortunately, many job seekers present fake resumes, work histories, and educational certificates in order to procure a good position.

Several companies now spend a lot of money just to avoid hiring the wrong person. Employers are especially particular about employing those with a criminal record, and each employer needs to weigh the pros and cons of their decision. Let’s face it, someone with a criminal record does not or should not make them unemployable. But, an employer deserves to know all the facts, so that he or she can make the best decision for their business.

Prospective employers want to protect their investments, which is why they perform or hire another company to perform pre-employment screening of their prospective employees. Pre-employment screening serves to keep frauds and other unsavory characters away from the company. But, few employers understand that they can do this screening on their own and save an awful lot of money.

Process of Pre-employment Screening

What happens during pre-employment screening? Companies use modern and sophisticated techniques and methodologies to conduct a lot of research and investigation on prospective employees, or they hire someone to do this for them. These methods include investigating the validity of records such as school certificates, the truth of work histories, and the genuineness of public licenses.

Pre-employment screening determines if a prospective employee is free from a criminal history. It also exposes prospective employees who use fake records and false resumes. A candidate could easily obtain a job by using someone else’s personal data. In order to combat these tendencies, pre-employment screening takes into consideration all factors such as the candidates’ addresses, driving licenses, and even credit scores.

Various Views on Pre-employment Screening

Many employers agree that pre-employment screening is extremely beneficial. This essential procedure saves companies from inadvertently employing drug abusers or those who have criminal records. Pre-employment screening can, therefore, save the company a lot of time and money that it may have to spend on future lawsuits. It also lessens the possibility of violence and criminal activities, such as theft, at the workplace.

Many prospective employees, however, feel discriminated against due to the screening. Some employees find themselves unfairly accused of crimes they did not commit simply because they had once been guilty of a minor offence. Therefore, even having a bad civil record, prevents such employees from getting the job of their dreams.

Job seekers who have inadvertently committed some mistakes in life need not lose hope because there are a number of employers who don’t perform pre-employment screening. Certain small companies don’t mind giving people a second chance to succeed in life and prove their worth.

Every deserving candidate has a job waiting for him or her, and everybody has to strive to be the best candidate for his or her dream job.

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Why the Need for Background Checks?

Screening – Helps Ensure Hiring Worthy Candidates