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Human Resources Management

How to Do Employee Background Checks

02 July 2022
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StepsDescriptionBenefits
What is a background check?A screening process to verify the past information about a potential employee. It includes job history, criminal record, credit score, etc.Helps in making confident hiring decisions, protecting the workplace from potential hazards.
Conduct a background checkYou can use a third-party service like SterlingBackcheck or GoodHire, or do a DIY check using Google, LinkedIn, Facebook, etc.Can give a complete picture of an employee's background, helps in protecting the business.
Potential risksThese checks can reveal sensitive information about an employee, could charge a fee, or could produce false positives leading to discrimination.Helps protect the business by ensuring hiring of right employees, avoid potential lawsuits, helps make confident hiring decisions.
Protect from potential lawsuitsHaving clear policies like use of social media, making employees understand these policies and confirming their understanding.Protects the company from potential lawsuits, ensures good conduct.
Action on negative informationIf a background check reveals negative information, you have to take steps according to the company's policies.Ensures that the company's integrity and standards are upheld.
Fair use of informationMust ensure fair use of the information gained from background checks respecting privacy laws.Reduces the risk of privacy violation lawsuits.
Informed consentAlways take informed consent from employees for conducting a background check.Keeps the process transparent and builds trust.
Usefulness of checksBackground checks must be used as secondary verification tools, not as sole decision-making tools.Accuracy of hiring decisions, fair opportunity to potential employees.
DisclosureIn case a check leads to risk factoring, then the potential employee should be informed.Keeps the process transparent and respects the rights of potential employees.
Compliance with lawsEnsure that your background check processes are in compliance with local, state, and federal laws.Avoid legal complications and ensure ethical hiring practices.

Are you thinking of hiring a new employee? If so, it's essential to do a background check before making any final decisions. By checking out your potential employee's history, you can avoid bringing on someone with a criminal record or known for bad behavior.

There are several ways to conduct a background check, and in this blog post, we'll show you the best methods for doing so. Keep reading to learn more!

How to do a background check on an employee (or anyone) in 7 easy steps

No one is exempt from a background check. Whether you're a potential employee looking for a new job or someone who wants to know more about your new neighbor, doing a background check is essential in protecting yourself and those around you.

This blog post will outline the steps you need to take to do a background check on anyone, anywhere. Let's get started!

1 - What is a background check, and what information can it reveal about an employee?

A background check is a screening process that employers may use to verify information about a potential employee's past. This can include job history, criminal record, credit score, or other information. Background checks can help employers to feel more confident about their hiring decisions, and they can also help to protect the workplace from potential hazards.

For example, an employee with a history of violence may threaten other employees, and an employee with a poor credit score may be more likely to steal from the company. However, it is essential to remember that background checks are not perfect; they can sometimes reveal inaccurate or incomplete information.

As such, employers should use background checks as part of the hiring process rather than relying on them exclusively.

  • Protect the safety of employees

  • Reduce the risk of hiring someone with a criminal history

  • Verify an employee's credit score

  • Detect potential workplace hazards

2 - How do you conduct a background check on an employee, and what are the best resources for finding this information?

There are a few different ways to conduct a background check on an employee. One standard method is to use a third-party service, such as SterlingBackcheck or GoodHire. These companies will collect information from public records and other sources to create a report for you.

Another option is to do a DIY background check using online resources such as Google, LinkedIn, and Facebook. However, remember that this method may be less reliable, as it can be easy to find inaccurate information online.

  • Get a complete and accurate picture of an employee's background

  • Conduct checks quickly and easily

  • Protect your business from potential harm

  • Verify information before making a hiring decision

3 - What are the potential risks of conducting a background check on an employee?

While background checks can help make hiring decisions, there are also some potential risks. 

First, background checks can sometimes reveal sensitive information about an employee, such as medical conditions or financial troubles. Additionally, if an employer uses a third-party service to conduct a background check, the employee may be charged a fee for this service. 

Finally, there is always the possibility that a background check will turn up false positives, which could lead to discrimination against the employees in question.

  • Protect your business by ensuring you're hiring the best possible employees

  • Get detailed information about an employee's history and criminal record

  • Avoid potential lawsuits and financial damages caused by negligent hiring

  • Ease your mind and make confident decisions about who to hire

4 - How can you protect yourself from potential lawsuits if you don't conduct a background check on employees?

Most employers know it's important to conduct background checks on potential employees. Not only does this help to ensure that the people you're hiring are qualified for the job, but it also protects you from liability if something goes wrong.

However, many employers don't realize that there are steps you can take to protect yourself even if you don't conduct a background check. For example, it's essential to have a clear policy in place regarding the use of social media. If an employee posts something that could be construed as harmful to the company, you could be held liable if you didn't take steps to prevent it.

Additionally, you should ensure that your employees understand your policies and procedures and sign a document confirming that they've read and understood them. By taking these precautions, you can help to protect yourself from potential lawsuits.

• Protect yourself and your company from potential lawsuits

• Have a clear policy in place regarding social media use

• Make sure employees understand company policies and procedures

• Sign a document confirming employee understanding

5 - What should you do if you find information that suggests an employee is not suited for the job?

If you find information during a background check that makes you question whether or not an employee is suited for the job, it's essential to take action. First, you should talk to the employee in question and give them a chance to explain the situation.

If you're still not convinced they're suitable for the job, you may need to let them go.

Additionally, it's essential to document everything so that you can protect yourself in the event of a lawsuit.

Background checks can help employers to feel more confident about their hiring decisions and they also protect the workplace from potential hazards.

However, it's essential to be aware of the potential risks associated with background checks and to take steps to protect yourself from potential lawsuits.

  • Verify information about potential employees

  • Feel more confident about your hiring decisions

  • Protect the workplace from potential hazards

  • Document everything for legal protection

6 - How can you use background checks as a tool for employee retention?

Background checks can also be a tool for employee retention. For example, if you find that an employee has a history of job-hopping, it may be a good idea to conduct a background check before offering them the position.

This will help you verify their employment history and ensure that they are likely to stick around for the long term. Additionally, if you have an employee up for a promotion, you may want to conduct a background check to verify their qualifications.

By using background checks as a tool for employee retention, you can help ensure that your workplace is staffed with qualified and reliable employees.

  • Background checks can help to identify employees who are likely to job hop

  • Background checks can verify an employee's qualifications for a promotion

  • Background checks can help to maintain a safe and secure workplace

7 - What are the best practices for conducting background checks on employees?

There are a few best practices that you should follow when conducting background checks on employees. First of all, you should ensure that you have a clear and consistent policy regarding who will be subjected to a background check.

Additionally, you should give employees ample time to provide information about their past, and you should allow them to explain any negative information. Finally, you should make sure that your policies and procedures are well documented so that you can protect yourself in the event of a lawsuit.

  • Protect your business with well-documented background check policies and procedures

  • Follow a clear and consistent policy for who will be subject to a background check

  • Give employees ample time to provide information about their past

  • Allow employees to explain any negative information that is found

In conclusion, background checks are essential for employers to make informed decisions about who they hire. Following the best practices outlined in this article, you can protect yourself from potential lawsuits and find information that will help you retain your employees. Join our human resources course today if you're interested in learning more about conducting background checks.

What is a background check?, A screening process to verify the past information about a potential employee It includes job history, criminal record, credit score, etc, Helps in making confident hiring decisions, protecting the workplace from potential hazards, Conduct a background check, You can use a third-party service like SterlingBackcheck or GoodHire, or do a DIY check using Google, LinkedIn, Facebook, etc, Can give a complete picture of an employee's background, helps in protecting the business, Potential risks, These checks can reveal sensitive information about an employee, could charge a fee, or could produce false positives leading to discrimination, Helps protect the business by ensuring hiring of right employees, avoid potential lawsuits, helps make confident hiring decisions, Protect from potential lawsuits, Having clear policies like use of social media, making employees understand these policies and confirming their understanding, Protects the company from potential lawsuits, ensures good conduct, Action on negative information, If a background check reveals negative information, you have to take steps according to the company's policies, Ensures that the company's integrity and standards are upheld, Fair use of information, Must ensure fair use of the information gained from background checks respecting privacy laws, Reduces the risk of privacy violation lawsuits, Informed consent, Always take informed consent from employees for conducting a background check, Keeps the process transparent and builds trust, Usefulness of checks, Background checks must be used as secondary verification tools, not as sole decision-making tools, Accuracy of hiring decisions, fair opportunity to potential employees, Disclosure, In case a check leads to risk factoring, then the potential employee should be informed, Keeps the process transparent and respects the rights of potential employees, Compliance with laws, Ensure that your background check processes are in compliance with local, state, and federal laws, Avoid legal complications and ensure ethical hiring practices
employment background checks court records background check services conduct a background check criminal records social media small business hr management fcra compliant hr department compensation and benefits criminal history hr professionals working environment employment screening human resource management background screening reference checks drug screening drug tests
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Bilal Şentürk
Blogger

He completed his undergraduate studies at Celal Bayar University, Anadolu University and Istanbul University, and a Master's degree with thesis on Human Resources Management at Yıldız Technical University and Business Management at Beykent University. He is currently writing a doctoral thesis on human resources and consulting businesses on human resources.

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