What Should You Look Out For In A Pre-Employment Background Check Company?
Nearly 75 percent of small businesses routinely conduct pre-employment background checks as part of their hiring process, according to a recent survey. It’s a step that makes sense. A bad hire can result in innumerable headaches for a business, its owners and its employees. A pre-employment background check provides verification that a potential employee is being honest about their accomplishments, education and past history, offering employers an invaluable chance to assess their honesty.
Perceptive business owners understand the importance of finding a reliable pre-employment background check company. Pre-employment background checks are useful tools that can prevent theft, workplace violence and other issues, but these screenings are regulated by state and local laws and the Fair Credit Reporting Act, so they must be handled correctly. Failure to follow the rules can leave a company vulnerable to lawsuits by aspiring employees and fines imposed by government agencies.
Factors to Look For in a Pre-Employment Background Check Company
What should you look for when selecting a firm to provide pre-employment background checks for your company? When considering possible screening firms, choose one that:
- Is accredited by the National Association of Professional Background Screeners
- Complies with the Fair Credit Reporting Act
- Provides forms for potential employees to sign that authorize the background check
- Delivers accurate, easy-to-read written reports
To help you decide if a particular pre-employment background check company is a good fit, you’ll likely want to ask several questions. These might include queries about the cost of the company’s services and the expected turnaround time for a background check. It’s also good to explore what information will be provided in the final report.
Information a Pre-Employment Background Check Company Can Provide
While the Internet seems to put a great deal of information at our fingertips, a dismayingly large amount of the information floating around in cyberspace is inaccurate or misleading, so it’s best to avoid the temptation to use the Internet to conduct your own background check on potential employees. Using the services of a reputable pre-employment background check company ensures that the information you receive is accurate and provided in a legally compliant manner. A screening firm can deliver a pre-employment background check that includes:
- Verification of employment, education and military records
- Misdemeanor and felony criminal records and sex offender status
- Reference checks and workers’ compensation history
- Checks of credit history and address history
- Civil and motor vehicle records checks
Pre-employment background checks are undoubtedly useful when vetting employees, but running afoul of the rules governing these screenings can be a costly mistake. Using the services of a reliable pre-employment background check company can protect your company from both bad hires and the negative consequences of improperly handled screenings.