What are background checks and why is it important?

What is Background checks and why is it important?

This is a process a company uses to verify that an individual/candidate is actually who they claim to be and confirms the validity of someone’s criminal record, education and other previous activities.

Before an organisation hires a new employee, it is in the interest and an investment of the organisation to know who they are potentially hiring prior to officially hiring the candidate. Background checks protects the organisation’s workforce and brand.

Why companies/ organisations conduct background checks:

Companies have the legal obligation and responsibility to protect its employees and assets. Background screening becomes an effective tool in preventing and reducing criminal activity within an organisation and not rely only on what the candidates say on curriculum vitae and during interviews. Candidates can hide the truth including previous convictions just to get hired and assume they can deal with consequences at a later stage. Background checks hence becomes the best weapon of defence for the employer or organisation. Even though conducting criminal checks and credit checks can be a sensitive topic, it is important to be know in detail who you are hiring or about to hire. When conducting background screening, the following information can be verified:

• Qualification/education verification
• Criminal checks
• Fraud checks
• Credit background checks

Importance of advising candidate prior to vetting:

As part of recruitment process, the recruiter is responsible to alert and advise candidates the organisations policy regarding background check process to ensure that candidate is a fit to work for the organisation. An employer might conduct the background check before formally extending an offer or before submitting your profile to a client if recruiting for a client.

Documents required from Candidate:

Consent form – candidates approves and give authorisation to a verification agent and agree that the agent can go ahead and perform credit checks, criminal checks or any other background checks required. Candidates will complete the form by filling in their full name, identity number, date of birth, contact details, signature, and date the consent form is being signed. The following documents are requested from candidate for an agent to commence with background checks:

• Completed and signed consent form
• Copy of Identification- to ensure the data provided for the candidate is accurate
• Copy of highest academic qualification

What to do when undergoing background screening:

When the employer or recruiter advise you that they have commenced with background checks, it does not guarantee that you are going to be hired however it is a good sign that candidate might be considered hence the candidate does not need to stress at this moment. A candidate should be happy to know that the possible employer is responsible and is serious to know whom they hire to avoid putting other employees at risk. Many of times candidates are not even aware that they are listed by financial institutions or that they are victims of identity theft. As a candidate, be proactive and stay connected with the recruiter to show that you are enthusiastic about the role. Its your right to know as a candidate the results after background screening.