In an era where many organizations place greater emphasis on conducting criminal background checks to uphold their reputation and foster a safe working environment, Appman conducted research on criminal records and offenses committed by individuals within various organizations. The aim was to rank the most common criminal offenses found, shedding light on the importance of employee background checks and mitigating the risk of harm from employees with prior criminal records. Here’s what the research revealed:
What Are Criminal Offenses?
Before delving into criminal history checks, let’s understand what criminal offenses entail. “Criminal offenses” refer to actions that violate laws and harm others or society as a whole. These can include physical assault, theft, property damage, or emotional harm inflicted upon others. Criminal offenses typically initiate with the victim reporting the incident to law enforcement or pursuing legal action in court to accuse the offender, seeking penalties ranging from imprisonment, fines, asset seizure, to even death penalty.
Types of Criminal Offenses:
Criminal offenses can broadly categorize into two main types: non-consensual offenses and consensual offenses. Here’s how they break down:
1. Non-Consensual Offenses: These offenses constitute acts that impact society as a whole and cannot be consented to. Even if no report is made to the police, legal action can still proceed. Examples include:
- Homicide
- Robbery
- Assault
- Home invasion
- Negligence resulting in the death of another person
- Defrauding the public
2. Consensual Offenses: Also known as personal offenses, these offenses arise when a victim reports the crime or files a lawsuit against the perpetrator. These offenses can be settled through consent to end the legal case. Examples include:
- Defamation
- Fraud
- Theft
- Harassment
Top 4 Most Common Criminal Offenses in Organizations:
In present, the prevalence of criminal activity has risen, with workplaces being at risk of employing individuals with prior criminal records who may re-offend, tarnishing the organization’s reputation and revenue. Appman’s research delved into the records of criminal offenses within each organization to determine the most frequently encountered criminal offenses. Here’s what was found:
| Case | average rate |
| Drug Offenses | 54.17% |
| Traffic Offenses | 20.83% |
| Sexual Offenses | 8.33% |
| Other | 8.33% |
| Gambling Offenses | 4.17% |
| Property Crimes | 4.17% |
1. Drug Offenses:
Drug-related crimes remain a significant concern, topping the list at an alarming rate of 54.17%. This indicates the worrisome prevalence of drug possession, distribution, or production. Therefore, organizations should pay special attention to screening employees for any history of drug-related offenses, as it can jeopardize the safety and reputation of the workplace.
2. Traffic Offenses:
Traffic-related offenses, accounting for 20.83%, present another common issue. These offenses range from minor violations like running a red light to more severe ones like driving under the influence, posing risks to both employees and the organization. Employers, especially those in the transportation sector, should prioritize screening employees for traffic-related offenses to prevent accidents and uphold safety standards.
3. Sexual Offenses:
Sexual misconduct cases are another concern in today’s workplace, as they often occur in work environments. According to research findings, the average rate is 8.33%, indicating that various organizations should pay attention to checking the backgrounds of individuals with a history of sexual misconduct. This is to create a safe working environment where employees, regardless of gender, can work without fear of harassment or sexual misconduct.
4. Gambling and property-related offenses
The two lowest-ranking offenses, with an average rate of 4.17%, are gambling and property-related offenses. These offenses may pose risks depending on individual circumstances, particularly for individuals with financial problems, debts, leading to gambling or property offenses. Such behaviors could expose organizations to the risk of asset misappropriation and financial losses.
In summary
Appman’s research underscores the impact of criminal offenses on organizations, highlighting the need for robust background checks to ensure workplace safety and reputation preservation.
For HR professionals seeking to screen employees within their organization, Appman offers the Criminal Checker service. This digital service ensures fast results with 100% accuracy.
