In today's modern world, background checks have become increasingly common amongst employers for various reasons ranging from safety concerns to employee productivity. Essentially, an employment background check involves investigating an individual's past history, credentials, and criminal records, among others. The information obtained from a background check helps employers make informed decisions about potential employees.

What is an Employment Background Check?

An employment background check is the process by which an employer investigates an individual's background information, including their criminal history, qualifications, references, and employment history, among others. A background check is typically used to confirm information provided by potential employees on job applications and to verify information about the applicant's background.

For instance, if an applicant claims to have graduated from a prestigious university, a background check is used to verify the authenticity of the applicant's claimed educational history. In most cases, employers typically use a third-party company to conduct background checks as this allows them to obtain accurate and unbiased information.

Types of Employment Background Checks

Employment background checks vary depending on the job position and the type of industry. However, the most common types of background checks include:

1. Criminal Record Check: This type of background check is done to verify the individual's criminal history to ensure they do not have any criminal convictions. This is particularly important for positions that require handling sensitive information, cash, or working with children.

2. Employment History Check: Employment history checks verify an individual's previous job positions, dates of employment, and reasons for leaving the job.

3. Credit History Check: Employers may want to investigate an individual's credit history to gauge their financial responsibility and integrity, particularly for finance-related positions.

4. Education Check: Educational background checks verify an individual's educational history, including their highest level of education attained and the authenticity of the certification or degree.

5. Social Media Check: Employers may want to investigate an individual's social media presence to ensure they have a professional online presence, free from inappropriate content.

What Information Can be Obtained from an Employment Background Check?

Employment background checks can reveal significant information about an individual's past, including their qualifications, employment history, criminal records, and credit history. Some of the crucial details that may be obtained during a background check include:

1. Criminal Records: A criminal background check verifies if the person has any criminal convictions or pending court cases. This information is important to ensure the safety of other employees, clients, and customers.

2. Employment History: Employment history checks verify past job positions, dates of employment, reasons for leaving, and performance. This information can help predict the individual's future job performance.

3. Education Background: An educational background check verifies the applicant's claimed educational attainment, and the authenticity of the certification obtained. This information is crucial, particularly for job positions that require specific qualifications.

4. Credit History: A credit background check verifies an individual's creditworthiness and financial history. This information is essential for finance-related positions.

5. Social Media: A social media background check verifies an individual's online presence, including any criminal or inappropriate content that may harm the company's reputation.

How is an Employment Background Check Used by Employers?

Employers use background checks to minimize their risks when hiring new employees. A significant risk is hiring an employee with false information on their applications or having a criminal record that may affect their job performance. The following are some ways that employers use employment background checks:

1. Ensuring a Safe Working Environment

Employers conduct background checks to ensure the safety of their employees, clients, and customers. For instance, if an individual has a previous criminal record, the employer may interpret such information as a red flag, and it may be grounds to disqualify that applicant.

2. Hiring Highly Qualified Employees

Background checks help employers to hire highly qualified and talented employees by verifying their credentials and other details provided on their applications. This ensures that companies hire candidates who possess the necessary qualifications for their jobs, thus reducing high employee turnovers.

3. Complying with the Law

Employment background checks help companies comply with legal requirements and ensure that they are not guilty of negligent hiring. Employers have a legal obligation to verify that the employees they hire have the right to work in the United States, and with E-Verify, employers can verify their employee's work status electronically.

4. Protecting Company Reputation

Employers can protect and maintain their company's reputation by conducting background checks on employees and preventing the hiring of individuals who engage in activities that could be harmful, such as sharing inappropriate content on social media.

Conclusion

In summary, employment background checks help employers make informed decisions about their potential employees by verifying the authenticity of their information provided on their applications. The information obtained from background checks ranges from an individual's criminal history, references, education, and social media presence, among others. Employers use these details to reduce their risks and ensure that they are hiring highly qualified employees while maintaining a safe working environment for their clients, customers, and employees. Employers must use background checks responsibly and ethically to protect individuals' rights and privacy while maintaining the integrity of their hiring process.