It is extremely common to have to go through a screening process prior to starting a new job. However, many HR advisors do not have an employment screening strategy in place, which could result in some serious damages for the business. This could be employing someone that isn’t allowed to work in the country or employing someone that has had a bad past, and therefore is not allowed to work with vulnerable/young people as a result.
Why Are Background Screening Checks Important?
It is important that the people that you employ are the people that they say they are in their interview and have the correct skills and qualifications to suit the job. As a HR professional, one of your main roles should be keeping the current company employers safe and ensuring that any new people invited to work for the company are reliable, sensible and safe people.
DBS checks will be able to bring up someone’s spent and unspent convictions, cautions and final warnings that are held on police records.
Sometimes, second chances are given, although the type of crime committed is usually assessed to decide whether that person would be suited to that particular career path. For example, someone that has a history of child abuse should not work with young children.
When Should You Background Check Staff?
Background checks should be done either before someone starts working for the company, or as soon as they accept the offer. The sooner the better to avoid any risks to the company and hefty fines should they not be allowed to work in the country.
HR professionals should also add ongoing checks to their background screening strategy to ensure that no security issues have arisen they started working at the company. This will keep the quality of the workforce high.
Pre-Employment Screening
These checks will confirm the identity of the person applying for a job within your company, as well as confirming their right to work in the country, criminal history and also making sure they have the qualifications that they said that they have.
Here are a few important points to consider about pre-employment screening at the beginning of the hiring process:
- Consider what level of checks or vetting you require.
- Ensure that the company that you use to do your DBS checks is reliable.
- If the candidate refuses a DBS check, this may be an indication that they are lying about something.
Post-Employment Screening
Even though you may trust your employees completely, it is important that you add ongoing checks to the company screening strategy to maintain a safe environment for everyone.
Again, here are a few things to consider for ongoing checks:
- Staff should be warned that they will be getting rescreened every so often to avoid mistrust of the company.
- Most companies recommend that re-screening should happen every 12-18 months to make sure that there are no new issues that have arisen.
- Consider using an updating service which will run regular checks and alert you to any changes to your employees’ suitability.
If you need more information on background checks and what would be right for your company, then contact the CBS team who will be able to provide the correct information and advise you on your next steps.
