A large number of business owners in the U.S. rely on pre-employment screening to learn more about a job candidate before they hire. Yet there are still many who feel employment background checks aren’t necessary. The reasons for neglecting to screen are varied. Some believe they are naturally a “good judge of character” and therefore need not perform a background check. Others are concerned about the compliance issues involved with employment screening. Still others are unsure of how to go about the process of pre employment screening.

Unfortunately, failing to conduct background checks for employment purposes puts employers at greater risk of negligent hiring, workplace violence, employee theft, and other productivity and safety-related woes. Employment checks have proven to deliver a number of key benefits. These include discouraging applicants from lying on their resumes or applying when their qualifications are inadequate; eliminating uncertainty in the hiring process by providing facts upon which to base decisions; demonstrating due diligence in the hiring process; promoting safety in the workplace; encouraging honesty on the part of the applicant; and providing an excellent return on investment to the employer.

If you’re considering a screening program you’ll be glad to know that the process is actually quite simple and the cost, very affordable.

The pre-employment screening process, de-mystified:

The background screening process is simple, and it’s akin to purchasing insurance-it doesn’t cost much, and the protection it offers is well worth it.

To get started, open an account with a qualified background screening company. Make sure the company you choose is a member of the National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS), which is an industry association committed to promoting ethical business standards and practices and maintaining compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act, among other priorities.

Once you’ve chosen a provider, you’ll need to determine which types of background screens you’ll need to order. Different industries have different standards, and there are legal boundaries that spell out screening laws. A reputable employment screening company will be knowledgeable on the appropriate screens for your industry and job types.

When you’re ready to begin your first background check, the most critical step comes first: gaining applicant consent. Your applicant must sign an FCRA compliant release form authorizing the process. It is extremely important to ensure your applicant is an informed and willing participant in the screening process.

Once the FCRA applicant release form is complete, you’ll provide the applicant data to your screening company. The company is then able to legally search public records and verify other information provided by the applicant, according to federal, state and local laws.

At this point you can sit back and wait for the results. This is typically 3 days or less for most checks. Once the report is complete, you’ll be able to make your hiring decisions. Importantly, you’ll also want to be sure to provide the results to the applicant, as required by the FCRA and related state laws.

With the right background screening company, the pre employment screening process is a simple cost-effective endeavor that offers valuable protection to your organization. Learn more by talking to an NAPBS member organization.

Author Bio: Michael Gaul is a VP at background screening company, Proforma Screening Solutions. Michael helps employers make better hiring decisions and mitigate hiring risks through comprehensive on-demand employment screening and employment background checks.

Category: Advice
Keywords: background screening company,employment screening,employment background checks