In today's society, background checks have become an essential part of the hiring process, whether it is for a job, rental property, or even a first date. With the rise of social media and increased access to personal information online, it has become easier than ever for individuals to hide important details of their past. Therefore, it is essential that these details are thoroughly vetted, in order to protect both the employer and the general public from potential harm. Below we will explore why background checks are so important, and how they ultimately help keep society safe.

Protecting Employers from Negligent Hiring Claims

Employers have a legal and moral obligation to ensure a safe working environment for their employees. If an employee is later found to have a history of violence or criminal behavior, and the employer did not conduct a proper background check, the employer could be held liable for negligent hiring claims. Negligent hiring occurs when an employer fails to conduct a thorough background check and subsequently hires someone whose past behavior suggests they could pose a risk to others in the workplace. Background checks can help mitigate the risk of negligent hiring claims by providing valuable information about an applicant's criminal history and other red flags.

Reducing Employee Turnover

Hiring the wrong person can be costly for employers, not just in terms of money, but also in terms of time and lost productivity. When a bad hire is made, it can result in high employee turnover, which means additional resources are required to fill the position once again. By conducting a thorough background check, employers are more likely to hire a candidate whose past behavior suggests that they will be a good fit for the position and the company culture.

Ensuring a Safe Workplace

Background checks are especially important for companies where the safety of employees and customers is paramount. For example, government agencies, healthcare organizations, and financial institutions all have an obligation to ensure the safety of their employees and customers. By conducting background checks, employers can identify any red flags in an applicant's past behavior that could suggest they pose a risk to others. This can include criminal history, history of violence, drug or alcohol abuse, and other concerning behaviors.

Protecting the Public from Harm

It is not just employers who benefit from background checks. Members of the public also benefit from background checks, especially when it comes to renting property or using online dating services. Background checks can help prevent people with a history of violence, sexual offenses, or drug abuse from gaining access to vulnerable populations such as children or elderly adults. This ultimately helps keep communities safe and protects vulnerable populations from harm.

Real-Life Examples

There are countless real-life examples of how background checks have helped prevent harm to both individuals and society as a whole. Take the case of Charles Carl Roberts IV, who in 2006 entered an Amish school in Pennsylvania and shot ten young girls before taking his own life. It was later revealed that Roberts had a history of mental illness and depression, along with a history of sexually abusing young relatives. Had a thorough background check been conducted by his employer, these red flags may have been identified, and the tragic event could have been prevented.

Another example is that of Brian Wells, a pizza deliveryman who was killed when a bomb attached to his neck exploded in Erie, Pennsylvania. It was later discovered that Wells had been coerced into carrying out the crime by a group of individuals who had conducted a background check on him and identified him as an ideal candidate for their plan.

Conclusion

In today's society, background checks have become an essential tool for protecting individuals and communities from harm. They are an important part of the hiring process, helping employers to ensure a safe working environment and reduce employee turnover. They are also important for protecting vulnerable populations from harm, whether it is in a rental property or on a first date. With the rise of social media and increased access to personal information online, it is more important than ever that these checks are conducted thoroughly and accurately. Ultimately, background checks help keep society safe and ensure that individuals with a history of violence, criminal behavior or other concerning red flags are not hired or allowed to access vulnerable populations.