As much as we’d like to believe that everyone we encounter is trustworthy, the reality is that there are individuals out there who would take advantage of others for their own gain. This is where background checks come into play, serving as an essential tool in our modern society to protect public safety, prevent fraud and ensure that the individuals we interact with can be trusted. In this article, we’ll dive into the importance of background checks and explore how they help keep our communities safe and secure.

Why Are Background Checks Important?

A background check is a process in which an individual or organization examines a person's past to uncover any criminal or other relevant information. It's a way to verify a person's identity, confirm their employment history, and check for any criminal record or other red flags that may pose a risk to others. Here are some reasons why background checks are important:

1. Protecting Public Safety

One of the most critical aspects of background checks is their ability to help protect public safety. It's vital in industries such as healthcare, education, law enforcement, and financial institutions, where individuals with access to sensitive information might have a significant impact on the safety of others. With thorough background checks, employers can make an informed decision about the people they hire, including whether they have a history of violent behavior or a criminal record that may affect their ability to do the job safely.

2. Preventing Fraud

Fraud is a serious concern in today's society, and background checks can help reduce the risk significantly. For example, a background check can uncover any fraudulent activities undertaken by a company, including embezzlement, theft, or other forms of financial misconduct. It can also help identify individuals with a history of fraudulent behavior that may pose a risk to future employers.

3. Mitigating Legal Liability

A thorough background check can help employers mitigate legal liability risks associated with negligent hiring. If an employee with a violent history harms someone, the employer who hired them could be held responsible. By conducting proper background checks, employers can demonstrate they took reasonable steps to protect their employees and the public from harm, which can help mitigate potential legal liability.

Real-life Examples

Case 1:

In 2015, the Texas Department of Health and Human Services (TDHHS) revealed they had unknowingly hired a convicted murderer to work at the state's health agency in a patient care role. The man's record was not discovered until later in the hiring process when he was already on the job. The TDHHS later admitted they had failed to conduct thorough background checks on all their hires, putting patients and other employees at risk.

Case 2:

In 2018, a hotel employee in California was charged with sexually assaulting a guest. It turned out that the individual had a long history of sexual misconduct, including multiple incidents of assault while on the job. The hotel's management had failed to conduct a proper background check, which would have helped uncover the individual's criminal history and may have prevented the assault.

These cases demonstrate the importance of background checks in identifying red flags and preventing harm.

The Process of Conducting a Background Check:
The process of conducting a background check can vary depending on the organization or individual conducting the check. However, here are some common steps involved in a standard background check:

1. Identity Verification

The first step in a background check is usually verifying the identity of the person being checked. This could involve requesting a copy of their driver's license or other government-issued identification. Failure to verify identity could mean the background check examines the wrong person, potentially providing inaccurate or misleading information.

2. Criminal Record Check

This is one of the most crucial steps in the background check process. This check involves searching court records, police reports, and other public records to determine if an individual has a criminal record. It can provide essential information about the person's past, including any past convictions for felonies or misdemeanors, or if the person is on a sex offender registry.

3. Employment Verification

This step confirms the employment history of the person, including past jobs, employment duration, and job titles. It's essential in industries such as finance, where employees must have a good reputation in their field.

4. Education Verification

This background check aims to verify that the educational degrees, diplomas, or certificates any individual is providing are valid. It can check if the individual attended the schools they claim and if they earned the degree or diploma they claim.

5. Credit Check

A credit check examines a person's credit history, such as outstanding loans, bankruptcies, and foreclosures, and is important in financial institutions to determine whether a person could pose a risk to the company.

In Conclusion

In today's society, background checks are critical tools to ensure public safety, prevent fraud, and protect employers from legal liability. It is vital for organizations and individuals to conduct proper background checks to verify the identity, criminal history, education, and employment background of all potential hires or contracts. Those that fail to do so risk putting themselves, their employees, and the public at risk. With thorough background checks, we can minimize risks and create a safer and more trustworthy society.