Background checks are a vital step in pre-employment screening. They are essential in today's society as they help prevent fraud and protect public safety. The world is becoming increasingly complex, and employers must do everything possible to ensure they hire the right person for the job. Background checks are a necessary measure that must be taken before hiring an individual. In this article, we will discuss why background checks are important and how they can help prevent fraud and protect public safety.
Why are Background Checks Important in Today's Society?
Background checks are important because they help to protect employers, their employees, customers, and the general public. Employers want to ensure that the person they hire is trustworthy, reliable, and has a good track record. Research shows that the cost of bad hires can be quite high. They can push a company towards the brink of financial ruin and deteriorate the company culture. Employers who conduct background checks are minimising the risks of making a bad hire.
Another reason why background checks are important is that they assist in preventing fraud. Fraud is a significant issue in today's world, and employersare at high risk. According to the 2018 Global Fraud and Identity Report by Experian, 76% of businesses experienced attempted or actual fraud in 2017. These instances of fraud resulted in losses of $7 billion. Background checks are an excellent weapon in the fight against fraud. By conducting criminal background checks and employment verification, employers can identify individuals with past criminal records and prevent them from being hired.
Moreover, background checks are essential because they help protect public safety. Employers who conduct background checks are ensuring that their employees do not have a history of violence and other criminal activity. This is especially important for workers who are responsible for the safety and wellbeing of others. For instance, a school would want to conduct background checks on their teachers to ensure that they have no previous sexual misconduct allegations or history of violent activity.
How do Background Checks Help Prevent Fraud?
Background checks can play a significant role in preventing fraud. The first step in preventing fraud is identifying individuals with a history of fraudulent activities. Employers can do this by conducting an extensive criminal background check. By doing this, employers can avoid an individual with a documented track record of fraud.
Moreover, background checks are helpful in preventing identity theft. Identity theft is one of the most common forms of fraud in today's world. When fraudulent individuals steal someone's identity, they can open bank accounts, apply for credit cards, and take out loans in that person's name. Background checks can detect individuals who have been convicted of identity theft. An employer who identifies a previously convicted identity thief in a background check can avoid hiring that individual and prevent additional identity theft.
Another way background checks help prevent fraud is by making an employer aware of employment law violations. Some individuals may attempt to defraud their previous employer by falsifying their accomplishments, exaggerating their qualifications, or leaving out important information. Through a comprehensive background check that includes employment verification, employers can identify these individuals and avoid hiring them.
How do Background Checks Protect Public Safety?
Background checks protect public safety by ensuring that those employed in positions of power or influence do not have a history of violent or sexual criminal activity. The safety and wellbeing of the public must be a top priority, and background checks are an effective way of maintaining this. For example, a school would conduct background checks on their teachers to avoid hiring individuals with a history of sexual misconduct against children.
Moreover, background checks protect the safety of employees. By conducting criminal background checks, employers can identify any red flags that may indicate a potential problem. Employers can avoid hiring individuals with a history of violence, aggression, and other criminal activities. This will keep the other employees and the company environment safe.
Conclusion
In today's society, background checks have become essential in hiring. Businesses of any size need to investigate their employees to ensure that they select trustworthy individuals. Background checks help prevent fraud, protect public safety and reduce the risks of the cost of bad hires. At the end of the day, background checks provide valuable peace of mind to both employers and their employees alike. With the benefits this robust tool, it is no wonder that businesses have come to rely heavily on background checks to identify the best candidates.
