Ultimate Employer’s Guide to Pre-Employment Background Checks

McLane Foodservice paid $40,000 to settle the lawsuit due to a lack of pre-employment background checks on job applicants. Yes, that’s right! In 2017, McLane Foodservice, a Texas-based company, made headlines after settling a discrimination lawsuit filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) for $40,000. The lawsuit claimed that the company violated federal law by hiring an applicant with a criminal record without conducting a proper background check. The applicant had a criminal history, including a conviction for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and was hired to work as a delivery driver without a background check that would have revealed their criminal record.

This case serves as a crucial reminder for businesses of all sizes that neglecting to conduct proper background checks can put their companies at risk of legal action and create potential safety risks. In this blog, we will delve deeper into the importance of employee background checks and how to conduct them effectively to reduce hiring risks and improve the hiring process.

Why Conducting Pre-Employment Background Checks is Crucial for Businesses?

As an essential tool for many businesses, conducting background investigation on potential employees is critical to ensure that employers are hiring the best and most qualified candidates for their organizations. Neglecting to conduct background checks can lead to a range of issues, including increased risks to the business, legal repercussions, and damage to the company’s reputation. In this section, we will discuss the reasons why conducting background checks is crucial for businesses.

Improved Hiring Decisions

One of the primary reasons for conducting background screening is to improve the quality of hiring decisions. A background check can reveal critical information about a candidate’s history that may take time to be apparent from their resume or job interview. Information such as employment history, education, and criminal records can provide valuable insights into a candidate’s qualifications and suitability for the position.

Reduced Hiring Risks

Conducting background checks can help businesses reduce hiring risks by identifying potential issues that could impact the safety and security of the company. For example, a background verification may reveal that a candidate has a criminal record or a history of violent behaviour. This information can help employers make informed decisions about whether or not to hire a candidate.

Compliance with Legal Requirements

Many industries have specific legal requirements for conducting background checks on potential employees. For example, employers in the healthcare industry are required to conduct criminal background checks on employees who will have access to patients. Failing to comply with these requirements can result in legal action and potential damage to the company’s reputation.

Protecting the Company’s Reputation

Employing individuals with a history of criminal behaviour or other problematic issues can significantly damage a company’s reputation. Conducting background checks helps businesses avoid these situations by identifying potential issues before they become problems. By hiring qualified candidates with a clean record, businesses can protect their reputation and maintain the trust of their customers and clients.

Types of Pre-Employment Background Screening

Many companies turn to pre-employment background checks to ensure comprehensive screening of potential employees. These checks can provide valuable insights into a candidate’s employment history, qualifications, and character, allowing employers to make informed hiring decisions. This section will discuss the types of pre-employment background checks that businesses can use to mitigate hiring risks.

Address Verification

Address Verification confirms the accuracy of a candidate’s address and provides a physical verification of their location. This check can help businesses ensure that they are communicating with the correct candidate and that the individual resides in the location stated in their application.

Identity Verification

Identity Verification confirms the authenticity of a candidate’s identity. This check can include verification of a candidate’s Social Security Number (SSN), driver’s license, passport, and other identification documents to prevent fraudulent activity during the hiring process.

Previous Employment Verification

Previous Employment Verification confirms a candidate’s employment history, job title, duties performed, and reasons for leaving. This check can help businesses confirm a candidate’s employment history and determine if they have the necessary experience to perform the job.

Education & Credential Verification

Education & Credential Verification confirms a candidate’s educational background and any professional licenses or certifications they hold. This check can help businesses ensure that candidates possess the required qualifications for the position and have the necessary skills to perform the job.

Local Language Media Check

Local Language Media Check is a comprehensive search of local media sources in the candidate’s language of origin. This check can help businesses identify any potential negative media coverage of a candidate that may affect their suitability for the position.

Credit Verification & Financial History

Credit Verification & Financial History investigates a candidate’s financial history, including their credit score, public records, bankruptcies, and liens. This check can help businesses evaluate a candidate’s financial responsibility and identify any potential financial issues that may impact their job performance.

Compliance & Regulatory Check

Compliance & Regulatory Check helps businesses ensure that their hiring process complies with federal and state regulations. This check can help businesses avoid legal and financial repercussions by identifying potential compliance issues during hiring.

Civil Litigation Record Check

Civil Litigation Record Check searches for any civil litigation records against a candidate. This check can help businesses identify any potential legal issues that may affect their job performance.

Bankruptcy Record Check

Bankruptcy Record Check investigates a candidate’s bankruptcy history, including any current or past bankruptcies. This check can help businesses assess a candidate’s financial stability and identify any potential issues that may affect their job performance.

International Criminal Record Check

International Criminal Record Check searches for any criminal records outside of the United States. This check can help businesses identify any potential safety risks and ensure compliance with international regulations.

Integrity Due Diligence

Integrity Due Diligence investigates a candidate’s integrity and reputation, including any potential conflicts of interest, political affiliations, or involvement in unethical behaviour. This check can help businesses assess a candidate’s character and ensure that they align with the company’s values and culture.

Choose CRI Group™ For Pre-Employment Background Checks in 2023

Are you looking to hire new employees for your business? Do you want to ensure that you are hiring the best and most qualified candidates for the job? Look no further than CRI Group™ for pre-employment background screening. Here are some reasons why:

• EmploySmart™ Certified: Our pre-employment checks service is certified for BS7858, which ensures that we provide thorough background checks that are compliant with industry standards.
• Tailored Packages: We offer tailored pre-employment screening packages to meet the specific requirements of each position within your company, ensuring that you conduct comprehensive screenings for all candidates.
• Local and International Coverage: We are a leading worldwide provider of employee background checks, including pre-employment background checks. We specialize in local and international coverage, so you can hire confidently, no matter where your candidates are from.
• Avoid Negligent Hiring Liabilities: With our EmploySmart™ service, you can avoid negligent hiring liabilities and ensure that you are creating a safe work environment for all employees.
• Save Time, Money, and Reputation: By investing in comprehensive pre-employment background checks, you can avoid costly hiring mistakes that can lead to legal liabilities, financial losses, and damage to your brand reputation.

Background Screening and Vetting Services by CRI Group™: Ensuring Secure Hiring in Specific Industries

CRI Group™ is a leading background screening and vetting services provider, duly certified by the British Standard Institute for the scope of BS 7858:2019 Screening of individuals working in a secure environment, Code of Practice and BS 102000:2018 Code of Practice for the provision of investigative services. We specialize in providing services to specific industries, including:

British Standard (BS 7858):

Our background screening services for the UK market are in compliance with the Scope of BS 7858:2019 revised standard. This includes various checks such as Identity, address, and Right to Work in The UK verification in line with the DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) document guidance, covering:

• Identity and address verifications.
• Right to Work (The UK verification).
• DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service, The UK verification).
• Previous Employment, Unemployment, and Self-employment verification (covering the last five years and auditing any gap periods if greater than 31 days).
• Educational Verifications.
• Financial Integrity Verifications (bankruptcy and insolvency checks).
• CCJ’s Record up to £10,000 (The UK verification).
• Civil Litigation Checks.
• Directorship Checks.
• Criminal History Record Checks
• Global Sanctions/Watchlist check.
• Social Media Background Checks (Depending on roles, such as senior or public relations roles – Recommended).

Choose CRI Group™  for pre-employment background screening and vetting services to ensure secure hiring in specific industries. Our comprehensive and customizable services can help you mitigate hiring risks, ensure compliance with legal requirements, and protect your reputation. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can assist your organization.