Running a background check on new hires is a common HR practice. Criminal backgrounds, credit history, driving records and professional experience could all possibly prevent extending a job offer to an applicant. Once employees have a position and screenings stop, how can you be sure they still are suitable for the job? This is where continuous background screenings come into play.
The recommended frequency of background checks varies depending on the employer, the position, and the field or industry. Today, most companies follow the “one and done” approach. This method may save your company money up front, but in the long run, companies have found that the benefits of continuous screening can outweigh the costs.
There are many benefits that Uber and other companies receive by doing more than just pre-employment screening:
- Security
You’ve invested time and money to recruit, onboard and train your employees, and it’s important to protect that investment. A way to ensure your team’s safety in the office or the field is to perform continuous background checks. If an employee is putting coworkers at risk, a background screening can be an efficient way to find this information.
- Job performance
If an employee is exhibiting erractic behavior, it would be considered reasonable suspicion for substance abuse. On the other hand, if an employee is exceeding performance expectations and receives a promotion, this could be a perfect time to rescreen.
It also may have been many years since an employee’s pre-employment background check. Additionally, the new position may require additional screening requirements not considered previously. For example, you may have conducted a criminal record check, but you didn’t verify their education or degree.
- Damage to the business
To fully protect your business against reputational damage and financial loss, you should fully understand every person you employ to avoid detrimental incidents. Employee fraud can damage your business that is hard to bounce back from. According to the 2012 Marquet Report on Embezzlement, nearly half of organizations never recover any losses due to fraud. In addition to the financial damage, a business’s brand is impacted as well. Brand trust and reputation can be equally as hard to recover.
How Signet Screening Can Help
Signet Screening can help you perform background checks on your employees whenever necessary, says President Matt Messersmith.
“At the end of the day, your company decides on the number of screenings you want to perform,” Messersmith said. “Whatever that number may be, Signet Screening is here to give you quick and accurate results for every request.”
Contact the experienced Signet Screening team to see how we can deliver a customized pre-employment solution that delivers better hiring and improved business results. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for additional information.
The Uber Case Study
In April 2018, Uber – the $70 billion ride-hailing company – announced that they will be conducting yearly background checks on all their drivers. In the past, Uber has suffered from reports of drivers accosting passengers, including lawsuits alleging sexual assaults. According to the Washington Post, the company was fined $8.9 million in 2017 by the state of Colorado for allowing people with serious criminal or motor vehicle offenses to work as drivers.
