Do I need to have background checks on new employees?

Every week the staff of the Wyoming Small Business Development Center publish tips for Wyoming businesses.  This week Arlene Soto, who is the Director of the Southeast Region for the SBDC office, wrote an interesting piece on doing background checks on potential employees.  Given the current workforce situation in Wyoming, I thought it would be good information to share with all of you.  Plus, I can't seem to develop any original thoughts of my own today (or anyone else at wyospace.com, for that matter), so plagiarism is by far going to be our best option. Anyway, here she is; Arlene Soto on employee background checks!

By Arlene Soto

"How should I conduct a background check before hiring an employee?" Sandy, Casper
Employers should do some form of background check on potential employees to ensure that they are getting a person who will be a good fit for their business, but it is not required.

The cost of hiring and training employees is too high not to at least call references. A background check on a potential new employee can be as simple as calling references and previous employers to checking credit reports and criminal records or doing a full investigative consumer report. Care needs to be taken not to violate privacy rights -- it is important to know the rules beforehand. For more information, visit the Web sites at www.privacyrights.org and www.business.gov (look under the link human resources), or contact a business attorney.

Many companies now use outside agencies to complete thorough pre-employment background checks. This is another option, but make sure to check the credibility of the agency that is selected: What experience do they have, what resources do they use for a background check and are they a reputable business?

Ask the screening company if they follow Federal Credit Reporting Act and applicable state and federal laws. Will they provide guidance about the proper use of the screening information? Will they provide the proper forms and seek the required permission from job applicants? How will they investigate any inaccurate information or handle a complaint by a job applicant?

Finding good employees is worth the effort to conduct some form of background check, even if references and previous employers must be called.

The WSBDC is a partnership of the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Wyoming Business Council and the University of Wyoming. To ask a question call 1-800-348-5194, (307) 766-3505, e-mail wsbdc@uwyo.edu or write Dept. 3922, 1000 East University Ave., Laramie, WY 82071-3922. Additional help is available at the WSBDC Web page at www.uwyo.edu/sbdc.

Comments

[Stephanie]

I agree with running background checks. It's too bad really, but that is where we are now. It makes good business sense to run background checks on potential employees. I don't feel that candidates should be denied jobs without at least being able to explain themselves though.

[Chris]

The best place to get a comprehensive employee background check is www.ciadata.com

Their background checks are the most accurate in the industry.

[Gillian]

Hi,
Background checks an opportunity for verify information. Whether you have receive the information background check from a job candidate, A criminal background check can give rise to many types of information about criminal/legal issues including arrests and convictions.
background checks