Pre-Employment Background Checks: Knowing You Hire The Right People For The Right JobApplying for a job nowadays usually involve having to sign a consent form for a pre-employment background check. Employers no longer trust their instincts or their naked observation in hiring people. As pressure for compliance with negligent hiring laws continues to increase as well as with the growing demand for efficiency and competition in the workplace, employers become more cautious about hiring the right people for the right job. By signing a consent form for a character screen, applicants open their background to a potential employer. A back ground check does not only include verification of resumes and education history but also credit account, driving records, medical and healthcare record and military and court records. Character references like neighbors, former employers and co-workers are interviewed in the duration of the character search. Pre-employment screening is conducted as accurately and as fairly as possible as any wrong information can cost the applicant, a possible employment. Though a consent to conduct a background search gives the potential employer a free hand in checking one's background, areas of inquiry should not invade one's privacy. Although areas of inquiry may go beyond simple personal characteristics, mode of living and other information that future employers may need of find out of their applicants, the final disseminated report cannot include information that is not connected to the specific job being applied for. The consent of the employee should also be given freely and in writing. A separate permission also has to be obtained when one needs to look into one's medical records or when background searches need to interview friends, neighbors or acquaintances. The employer on his own or a third party, usually a hired private company which specializes in character investigations, may conduct the pre-employment background checks. There are many specific reasons why an employer needs to undertake a pre-employment check on applicants. Employers need to verify information presented on resumes and job application and identify untrue or misleading information. Certain industries and employment positions may also be required by federal and state laws to conduct a background check especially those related to healthcare and contact with children, elderly or disabled as well as in government service. The need to avoid negligent hiring lawsuits, where the company can be used for harm caused by an employee, also forces employers to be cautious about potential employees. Whenever some adverse information is disclose during the character search, certain companies discuss the matter with the applicant and give him the chance to explain the problem and prove the inaccuracy or the error in the information gathered. Once the information is corrected and the employer agrees to the explanation, consideration may be given to the applicant. More importantly, however,pre-employment background checks allow the business enterprise or industry to know the skills and behavior that each applicant can contribute to the organization. Through it, an employer becomes confident that an applicant is potentially valuable to them or identifies the possible risk that he could bring to the company. In order to increase one's chances for employment, an applicant may prepare himself for a background check. It is important that one checks beforehand information that is likely to be included in the character check such as one's credit history, arrest or court records, motor vehicle records and a copy of his personnel file from his previous employment. Applicants should also read the contents of the form consenting to an investigation. It is also important to talk to neighbors and former co-workers and others who may be interviewed to gain information about one's character. |