Comprehensive background checks are commonplace amongst employers, landlords, and financial institutions. They are processes that set out to prove what a person claims to be. In this post, we’ll discuss what is involved in an employee background check.
Employers run background checks to avoid hiring someone who may be dangerous or a liability to the company. These checks can occur as part of the hiring process or periodically as the employer sees fit. An employment background check may include but is not limited to, a candidate’s work history, education, credit history, medical history, drug screening, and social media usage.
The employer may focus on different criteria to conduct a background check. For instance, a construction firm may incorporate drug screening to ensure that candidates are sober for heavy-duty applications. Military and security contractors may attempt to check security clearances to verify a candidate’s fit with the context and nuances of the position they are applying for.
Background checks pull from national databases, such as those formulated through the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). These processes may also pull from national or local databases that keep track of arrest records and criminal activity.
Comprehensive background checks sound universal and all-encompassing. However, the fact of the matter is that they are tailored to meet the needs of employers. Many companies offer background checks as a service to help employers streamline their hiring processes.
