Let's start with some cold hard facts. Around 10
percent of job applicants have some sort of criminal record (whether they are
spent or unspent records). A background check can prevent crime and negative
incidents from occurring at the place of work.
It can be considered that there are a number of
factors for workplaces to conduct a pre-employment background check before a
new hire commences their job role.
An example
of this may include a police
check or in some cases a working
with children check.
For a number of background checks like criminal
background checks, they have the potential to detail an applicant’s history
like disclosable court outcomes. The offences released will generally depend on
the applicant’s proposed level of contact with vulnerable people.
These enable workplaces to consider candidates
with a criminal past, in particular if the candidate will have access to
children or vulnerable persons in the community.
Background checks being conducted
Most background check services conduct history
checks on a national level. For example, in the AU, a police check QLD or police check Victoria is actually the
same type of check as a national
police check.
A number of background check agencies can perform
credit checks like a bankruptcy check, and further verify
if an applicant has work rights from the immigration department.
Some history check services may also verify
employment credential’s, including the new applicants employment history, dates
of the employment that is stated in the CV, job duties that were performed and
other items relevant to the role. An applicant’s educational history is also
possible to be verified, therefore ensuring a company is taking on an applicant
that is fit for the job role.
Safeguard and insure the reputation
of the organisation
Background checks in the pre-employment stage
will bring a good return on investment in the long run. An example of a thorough
pre-employment screening process may include an employment credential check,
verification of qualifications, or a national police certificate.
This can be attributed to lowering total costs by
preventing lawsuits against the workplace that may stem from worker actions,
high turnover, and possibly bad press.
Planning to take on new workers or contractors?
We would encourage that you at least consider the ups and downs of
pre-employment background checks.