Background checks provide you with additional information to help you to make more informed hiring decisions. Screening your potential or existing employees reduces the risk of hiring or retaining individuals who may not be suitable. It’s important to note that while pre-employment or re-vetting checks are valuable, and shouldn’t be skipped, they must be conducted in a fair and non-discriminatory manner. We always follow legal guidelines, provide transparency to candidates, and obtain background checks appropriately in the hiring process.
Let’s cover the basics, what actually is the importance of carrying out background checks? Background checks for potential employees can reveal different types of information about an individual, which can depend on the scope and depth of the check. The specific information disclosed in a background check for employment depends on factors like the purpose of the check, legal regulations and the type of background screening being conducted.
Here’s some Reasons For Background Checks
Safety In The Workplace
Background checks can help you identify individuals with a history of things like fraud, theft, violence or other criminal activities. By screening prospective employees, you can minimise risks to the safety and wellbeing of your staff, business, brand and clients.
Confidentiality and Security
Some positions may involve access to sensitive information, such as confidential data. Screening potential candidates can help ensure that individuals with a trustworthy background are placed in roles where security and confidentiality are paramount.
Reduction of Legal Liability
By conducting thorough background checks, if necessary, you would be able to demonstrate that you have taken reasonable steps to ensure a safe and secure workplace. This can help mitigate potential legal claims in the future.
Verification
Background checks can help employers confirm that candidates possess the qualifications and experience they claim to have. This includes vital things like employment history, gaps in employment, education, professional licences and certifications.
Brand Reputation
Hiring individuals with a history of undesirable traits like unethical behaviour or crime, can negatively impact your business’s reputation. Background checks can lower risk and help you avoid association with individuals who could potentially harm your organisation’s image.
Legal Compliance
Background checks help employers ensure compliance with UK laws and regulations, such as the Data Protection Act, Equality Act, and Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. We conform with current GDPR when it comes to handling candidate information. Certain industries and roles may have specific legal requirements for background screening, such as those involving vulnerable people or roles that carry a level of financial responsibility, we carry out all of the more specific checks.
Protection of Vulnerable Groups
Pre-screening checks are particularly important when hiring employees who work with vulnerable people. If you want to employ someone to work with children, elderly individuals, or people with disabilities, carrying out these checks will help safeguard the well-being of these groups and help prevent potential harm.
Prevention of Fraud
When hiring for roles that involve financial responsibilities or access to company funds, performing background checks, including credit checks, can help identify candidates with a history of financial irresponsibility or fraudulent activities.
Industry-Leading Turnaround Times
We offer background checks for employment with industry-leading turnaround times to help employers protect their organisation from employee-related risk.
Background checks provide you with additional information to help you to make more informed hiring decisions. Screening your potential or existing employees reduces the risk of hiring or retaining individuals who may not be suitable. It’s important to note that while pre-employment or re-vetting checks are valuable, and shouldn’t be skipped, they must be conducted in a fair and non-discriminatory manner. We always follow legal guidelines, provide transparency to candidates, and obtain background checks appropriately in the hiring process.
Let’s cover the basics, what actually is the importance of carrying out background checks? Background checks for potential employees can reveal different types of information about an individual, which can depend on the scope and depth of the check. The specific information disclosed in a background check for employment depends on factors like the purpose of the check, legal regulations and the type of background screening being conducted.
Here’s some Reasons For Background Checks
Safety In The Workplace
Background checks can help you identify individuals with a history of things like fraud, theft, violence or other criminal activities. By screening prospective employees, you can minimise risks to the safety and wellbeing of your staff, business, brand and clients.
Confidentiality and Security
Some positions may involve access to sensitive information, such as confidential data. Screening potential candidates can help ensure that individuals with a trustworthy background are placed in roles where security and confidentiality are paramount.
Reduction of Legal Liability
By conducting thorough background checks, if necessary, you would be able to demonstrate that you have taken reasonable steps to ensure a safe and secure workplace. This can help mitigate potential legal claims in the future.
Verification
Background checks can help employers confirm that candidates possess the qualifications and experience they claim to have. This includes vital things like employment history, gaps in employment, education, professional licences and certifications.
Brand Reputation
Hiring individuals with a history of undesirable traits like unethical behaviour or crime, can negatively impact your business’s reputation. Background checks can lower risk and help you avoid association with individuals who could potentially harm your organisation’s image.
Legal Compliance
Background checks help employers ensure compliance with UK laws and regulations, such as the Data Protection Act, Equality Act, and Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. Certain industries and roles may have specific legal requirements for background screening, such as those involving vulnerable people or roles that carry a level of financial responsibility.
Protection of Vulnerable Groups
Pre-screening checks are particularly important when hiring employees who work with vulnerable people. If you want to employ someone to work with children, elderly individuals, or people with disabilities, carrying out these checks will help safeguard the well-being of these groups and help prevent potential harm.
Prevention of Fraud
When hiring for roles that involve financial responsibilities or access to company funds, performing background checks, including credit checks, can help identify candidates with a history of financial irresponsibility or fraudulent activities.
Industry-Leading Turnaround Times
We offer background checks for employment with industry-leading turnaround times to help employers protect their organisation from employee-related risk.
Richard Donovan, Screening Manager: r.donovan@theopragroup.com | 0203 854 7237