|
Important Tips on Criminal Background Checks
The importance of conducting criminal background checks on candidates applying for positions within your business or organization cannot be overemphasized. You have an obligation to protect your employees and your customers as well as reduce the liability of your company being sued for poor hiring practices.
Below are some important tips regarding developing a background check program for your organization:
- "Never judge a book by it's cover". You should use this practice prior to hiring a candidate. Even if a candidate looks like a saint, you don't know what dark secrets may lurk in their past. It's better to be safe than sorry. Develop a background check program that fits the needs of your organization.
- A criminal background check should be performed on each place of residence the candidate has lived for the last 7 years.
- Confirm all degrees and licenses that are claimed by the candidate. Employers should also check a minimum of 3 business references that the candidate has directly worked with for the last 7 years.
- It should be policy, that if there are any misrepresentations on the candidate's resume or application, don't hire him or her. If you can't trust the information provided to you before being hired, imagine what is to come if you do hire him or her!
- Is your candidate going to be driving a company vehicle as part of their job responsibilities? If yes, make sure you conduct a DMV background check.
- Beware of "online" background check companies that sell information for extremely low prices. Many of these companies advertise that they will do "Instant Checks" on all 50 states. Be advised that this information can be very inaccurate. Most courts do not have their criminal information online. There is no central repository for all criminal records.
- Ensure that there is a company policy mandating employees to notify the Employer or Human Resources Department immediately if they have been convicted of a crime.
Upon reviewing the application on the candidate, read between the lines. Be aware of breaks in employment where the candidate does not explain what he/she was doing during a certain period of time. If the candidate doesn't list it, it may be something you need to further investigate.
By taking these important tips and applying them to your hiring process, you are being proactive in protecting the company as well as avoiding a lot of potential headaches in the long run.
"Love your life and live it to the fullest. Just do it with YOUR EYES WIDE OPEN. Know that I am keeping my eye out for you!" - Cynthia
Cynthia Bazin is a licensed Private Investigator for the State of Nevada and is the owner of The Bazin Group, LLC. Please contact Cynthia for all of your Investigation and Security needs. She will ensure that your business is protected; that you are taking the proactive measures to reduce risk and liability within your organization.
|
