Background screening is a hugely important part of the hiring process. It provides reassurance that the candidate you intend to hire is precisely who they say they are. Despite this, many businesses choose to skip this integral step. It's often seen as an unnecessary waste of time, but this couldn't be further from the truth.
To illustrate our point, we'll take you through five reasons why background checks are essential for all businesses, big or small. By the end, you'll have a whole new appreciation for the screening process, so let's get into it!
If you've ever wondered, ‘what is employment verification?’, it's a vital part of hiring the right candidate. Education verification is another part of the process. These steps essentially guarantee that your prospective employee is who they say they are, with the credentials that make them ideal for the offered role. Without this step, you can't be sure that your candidate's prior experience is legitimate.
Lying on job applications isn't a new phenomenon. In fact, many applicants openly admit to having lied in their resume to improve their chances of employment. Without background checks, you have no idea whether your applicant has lied on their resume – a dangerous precedent to set. The last thing you want to do is hire untrustworthy characters that could compromise your business.
Although no single, overarching piece of legislation protects user data in the United States, there are hundreds of laws on both federal and state levels. Unless you want to land yourself in some serious legal trouble, it's wise to remain compliant with these laws. Hiring an unreliable candidate is the perfect way to breach data protection. Background checks can reassure you that your new employee won't mishandle delicate information.
It isn't just your business that could suffer if you hire a dangerous new recruit; it's also the people that support your business – your clientele and your current team. As an employer, it's your responsibility to protect the well-being of anyone who interacts with your brand. This extended to screening any prospective employees from the start.
Finally, background checks help to protect your reputation. The people you employ are the front line of your brand. If they behave irresponsibly, leak confidential data, or even harm clientele physically, this will have significant repercussions on public opinion. This remains true even after you've removed the offending employee. Don't take the risk. Screen all of your applicants!
For a business to be successful, it relies on numerous moving parts. One of the most important is the well-being and performance of its employees. Even the best products or services won't sell themselves. You need to know you have a team you can rely on, so don't skip background checks.
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