Five reasons to background screen your employees

A background screen is becoming an ever-more popular way for employers to ensure that they have a productive and effective workforce. As both part of the hiring process and for current employees, to background screen your staff is to protect the future of your business.

If you’re in doubt as to why any form of background screen is necessary for your employees, check out our five top reasons to implement staff testing and background screening measures:

1) Resume Fraud

Resume fraud is on the rise, and can seriously damage your company’s future if not protected against. Resume fraud usually involves applicants lying on their resume in areas such as dates of employment, past accomplishments and skills, and enhancing job titles and responsibilities.

It usually occurs because the applicant doesn’t think that the prospective employer will bother to complete an adequate background screen. Make sure you aren’t fooled by getting started with pre-employment screening checks.

2) Drug & Alcohol Use

Workplace drug and alcohol use costs U.S. businesses an estimated $100 billion each year, and 12.9 million drug abusers in the states are employed either full or part time. Protect your company from users by including drug and alcohol testing in your background screen.

3) High Unemployment

As unemployment remains high, it’s important to thoroughly screen all potential employees to ensure that you hire only the best. With more applicants applying for jobs than even before, employers have a lot of choice. Make use of this choice by checking every aspect of potential hires, making sure that they fit perfectly into your business.

4) Criminal Records

There is no doubt that any boss would want to know if any of their employees have a criminal record that could affect the company. For example, if a job applicant has a conviction for theft and the job role involves handling cash, you’re unlikely to want to hire them.

A background screen would allow you to obtain this type of knowledge, and protect your business.

5) Costs

While background screening may involve upfront costs, these will be minor compared to what you risk shelling out should things go awry. If an applicant has a history of violence and you didn’t run a check to find out about this, but then they become aggressive towards coworkers, you could be liable for a significant amount of money.

Furthermore, did you know that employee theft cost retailers $15.9 billion in 2008? Or that drug abusers cost double their drug-free counterparts in workers compensation claims?

Pay a little now to ensure you don’t have to pay more later.

What next?

Next step is to get started! If you need to run a background screen on an individual, get in touch with an employment screening company. They can help you with which checks need to be performed and the processes involved.

If you need some help, reach out to us today and we can set you in the right direction!