Trust is crucial in modern hiring because organizations cannot always predict if new employees have falsified documents or have a criminal history.
Employee background checks are essential for ensuring the hiring of qualified individuals, but this process involves sensitive information and critical considerations. Neglecting these details could harm the company in the future. In this article, we’ve compiled five essential points to know before conducting employee background checks. Read on to find out what they are.
1. The results of the background check must be comprehensive.
An essential part of effective employee background checks is ensuring that the data is thorough and covers the necessary aspects as required by the organization. Incomplete or incorrect information can result in future risks for the company. Modern background checks should ideally include:
- Criminal history
- Employment history
- Educational background
- Bankruptcy status
- Negative online presence
Depending on the job role, organizations can decide which aspects of an applicant’s background to check, such as security roles focusing on criminal history, or financial positions requiring education and bankruptcy checks. This helps mitigate risks to the organization.
2. Reliable and trustworthy sources of information
Reliable sources of information are crucial when conducting employee background checks. If the data is inaccurate, it could lead to hiring unsuitable individuals without the company’s knowledge. In today’s digital world, fraudulent information is increasingly sophisticated. Therefore, background checks must rely on official sources. For instance, criminal records should be verified through the National Police, and educational background should be cross-referenced with the university’s registrar. Using trusted sources ensures the accuracy and safety of the hiring process.
3. Do not violate the PDPA law.
Although conducting employee background checks is necessary for organizations, the personal information involved, such as identification numbers and phone numbers, is sensitive. If mishandled, it can harm the individual.
Organizations must comply with the PDPA (Personal Data Protection Act) and related laws concerning criminal records. Consent from the employee or applicant must be obtained before conducting any checks, and the rights of the data owner must be respected. Failure to comply could lead to legal consequences for the employer, both civil and criminal.
4. Educate the HR department on the importance of conducting employee background checks.
As we know, the process of conducting employee background checks starts with the HR department, which is responsible for this task. Therefore, HR must understand and recognize the importance of background checks. Organizations should provide training and education on recruitment, selecting efficient employees, and understanding relevant employment laws.
When HR understands the significance of selecting the right employees, it strengthens the company culture with skilled and capable individuals. This helps drive the organization toward its goals with effective results.
5. Choose a quality employee background check service
Nowadays, employee background checks can be done in various ways, depending on the organization’s convenience. This can range from manual checks, where HR collects the applicant’s documents and submits them to the police, to using background check services that streamline the process for HR.
Appman Background Checker is one such service offering a 100% online solution through the E-KYC system. It provides faster results, offers comprehensive checks, and complies with PDPA regulations, ensuring organizations find the right employees.
Although conducting employee background checks is essential for every organization, the sensitive nature of the information involved means that HR personnel must be well-prepared. They should carefully review the five key precautions we’ve outlined to ensure that the organization hires high-quality employees using reliable data, without violating any laws. This thorough preparation will help guide the company toward achieving its goals.
