Doing criminal background checks on new employees can be essential to your business’s health and safety. However, knowing how often you should do them can be challenging. You need to consider both the cost and the continuous or random nature of your searches.
Cost
If you’re a small business owner, you’ll need to consider the cost of criminal background checks for employment for your business. Background checks can provide valuable information about potential employees, which can help you avoid making costly hiring mistakes. The cost of background checks will vary depending on what kind of screenings are needed. For example, a retail store may not need a credit check or drug test, but a doctor’s office might. The cost of a basic background check can range from $15 to $30. It includes a search of national criminal databases, a social security number trace, and a domestic watch list search. More thorough screenings can cost up to $100 per report. Some states require that prospective employers pay for a background check. The cost of background checks can be difficult to budget. Even though it may be tempting to hire the lowest-cost employee, you should educate yourself on what’s involved. Investing in a background check can be a worthwhile investment. A background check can also help determine whether an employee is likely dangerous to your customers or employees. A background check can reveal issues with financial management and other problems that can impact a company.
Random ongoing
If you are considering a random ongoing criminal background check for employment for your business, you will want to ensure that you take the following steps. These tips will help you keep your employees accountable, as well as your business, safe. First and foremost, you need to set up a background check policy. This should clearly state the procedure, how frequently you will be checking, and how to report any issues. The best way to handle a recheck is to give your employees notice. You also need to be aware of the laws that apply to you. Federal and state laws govern the use of criminal records and other relevant data. For instance, if you are a business owner, you may need to consult with an attorney before using a background check.
Besides the apparent criminal background checks for employment, you should also look into a driving record and professional license verification. Both are important because they can reveal important details about a candidate’s history. Monitoring your workers’ activities is essential in the gig’ economy. Employees can steal from your company; if you don’t do anything, you could be on the hook for substantial losses.
Pre-employment
Pre-employment criminal background checks help employers make informed hiring decisions. This can prevent them from hiring the wrong candidates and maintain a safe and compliant workplace. Another law, the Fair Chance Act, expands protections for criminal records. The act is based on the idea that “bad things happen during employment,” and bad things can harm the company in the future. A pre-employment check can confirm an applicant’s identity, education, and work history. Often, these checks include drug testing. Having an employee who clears the background check helps to prevent lawsuits. In addition to criminal history, a pre-employment background check can reveal an individual’s public social media accounts. You can also check a candidate’s references. Some screening services investigate an individual’s employment history, including dates of employment, job titles, and reasons why an individual left the position. Other services look for civil court judgments, driving records, and credit records.
Continuous
Continuous criminal background checks are a great way to protect your business from illegal activity. They can also help you monitor your staff and your customers. While many companies conduct annual background checks, continuous criminal monitoring can fill the gaps. It provides near-real-time alerts to employers about recent arrests, incarcerations, and other serious crimes. Continuous monitoring is a proactive way to mitigate the risk of insider threats, keep employees safe and prevent workplace violence. With more courts and police departments moving to online records systems, it is easier than ever to monitor for dangerous criminal activity. Continuous monitoring helps employers make better hiring decisions. Scanning thousands of data streams can predict potential risks from current employees and improve your workplace’s safety. Continuous monitoring can also provide a quick and easy way to notify employers about reportable changes in real-time. Aside from the obvious benefits of keeping your employees safe, continuous monitoring can reduce the risk of a lawsuit. If your company is the victim of a workplace violence lawsuit, the average settlement is $500,000. Using technology to scan the Web and alert you to reported criminal activity can save your company money. The best continuous criminal background checks also give you peace of mind.
