Why Are Background Checks Important in Today's Society?
Background checks have become a crucial part of our society because of the increase in fraudulent activities and safety concerns. A background check is a comprehensive investigation of a particular individual's criminal, financial, and personal history. The information obtained from a background check can be useful in different settings, including employment, education, and housing.
The importance of background checks has become even more significant in recent years with issues like identity theft, terrorism, and mass shootings. For example, a background check can help identify individuals who have committed financial or violent crimes, sexual offenses, or those who pose a threat to public safety.
In this article, we'll explore the importance of background checks in today's society and how they help prevent fraud and protect public safety.
The Benefits of Background Checks
The primary purpose of a background check is to discover potential warning signs of criminal activities or other red flags about individuals’ behavior. There are numerous benefits to performing background checks, and the following are the most important:
Protecting Employers and Employees
Background checks help identify individuals who may pose a risk to a company, its employees, and its customers. Employees who have a history of violent behavior or drug abuse, for instance, are less likely to cause problems if identified early on.
Moreover, background checks provide employers with useful information for selecting the best suited employee for the role. For instance, a background check can reveal an applicant who has falsified their education, work history, or qualifications.
Protecting the Public
Background checks have the potential to prevent crimes that would have otherwise gone unnoticed. For example, a pre-employment background check can reveal that the applicant has previously been convicted of assault or sexual assault. These charges are more likely to prevent the employer from hiring an individual that could ultimately harm customers, fellow employees, or the public.
Furthermore, background checks also help protect public safety as it relates to granting certain licenses and certifications to professionals. For example, it is essential to perform a background check on doctors, pilots, and other professionals who hold licenses that can have life and death consequences.
Protecting Children
Education settings have become an area of concern over the years as it relates to children. Teachers and other school employees should undergo background checks before being employed at schools. The background checks can uncover crimes like possession of child pornography, rape or sexual assault, or involvement with underage individuals.
Similarly, other child-centered organizations like youth sports programs also require volunteers, coaches, and other personnel to undergo background checks in keeping children safe from potential abusers.
Mitigating Identity Theft
Background checks are becoming an increasingly important tool for reducing identity theft. This type of check can reveal information fraudulent individuals use such as personal information, employment history, and financial information. Background checks can also help identify identity thieves after they have struck, which can potentially lead to a successful prosecution.
The Importance of Background Checks in the Workplace
Background checks have become more critical in the job application process. Recruiters and HR professionals have a responsibility to carefully review employee information to identify any potential issues that might come up.
In addition to safeguarding the workplace, employers may also have legal requirements, depending on their industry. For example, some employers have to perform background checks on employees before hiring due to safety or security protocols or to comply with legal regulations.
Moreover, background checks can provide a sense of security both for employees and employers. It also serves to ensure that the most qualified individuals are filling the specific roles and knows that they do not pose a risk.
How Do Background Checks Protect Public Safety?
A person's history can tell a lot about their behavior. It is why background checks are particularly essential for roles that involve working with children, law enforcement, healthcare, and financial institutions.
Preventing Financial Fraud
Background checks can uncover the financial history of an individual, including any bankruptcies, liens, or judgments, which can protect potential investors and reduce the risk of financial fraud.
Protecting Children
The safety of children is always a top priority in society. Background checks can uncover a potential employee's criminal record that may involve child abuse or neglect. It mandates that school employees and volunteers undergo background checks to keep children safe.
Protecting Healthcare and Financial Services
Background checks are critical when considering license and registration requests in the healthcare and financial services industries. Background checks are used to ensure that individuals holding these licenses do not have any criminal history or other relevant disqualifying information.
Protecting Against Sexual Predators and Offenders
Another vital aspect of background checks includes screening both sexual predators and offenders. The screening process is essential in daycare, youth sports leagues, and schools, where these kinds of individuals need to be kept away from children.
For instance, in California, minors who require fingerprinting as part of the background check process increased from around 45,000 in January 2013 to 205,000 in May 2018. These individuals are more likely to include school bus drivers, coaches, and other volunteers.
Conclusion
Background checks have become critical to today's society due to their capacity to identify red flags about the behavior of an individual. Employers, educational institutions, and other organizations that work with children now rely on this service to ensure the safety of their clients.
In conclusion, background checks are vital in today's society, protecting individuals and organizations against fraud, financial crimes, sexual predators, and many other potential threats. These checks are now essential in a wide variety of settings, including employment, financial services, and education. Therefore, it is crucial that individuals become more aware of background checks' importance and the role they fulfill in enhancing public safety.
