How to Use Employment Screening to Build a Stronger Workforce

In today’s competitive business environment, employers need to be diligent in their hiring process to build a strong and capable workforce. Employment screening is a critical tool that can help organizations make informed hiring decisions by verifying candidate information and assessing potential risks.

In this article, we will explore how employers can use employment screening to build a stronger workforce, including the benefits of employment screening, the types of screening available, and best practices for implementing employment screening in your organization.

Benefits of Employment Screening

Employment screening offers several benefits for employers looking to build a strong and capable workforce. By conducting thorough background checks, employers can:

1. Protect their company and employees: Employment screening can help identify potential risks and liabilities, such as criminal history or drug use, which can help protect your company and employees from harm.
2. Hire more qualified candidates: By verifying candidate information, including employment history and education, employers can ensure they are hiring qualified candidates who possess the necessary skills and experience for the job.
3. Reduce turnover: By conducting employment screening, employers can identify potential red flags early on in the hiring process, which can help prevent turnover and save the organization time and resources.

Types of Employment Screening

Employment screening can encompass a range of different checks, depending on the employer’s needs and the position being filled. Some of the most common types of employment screening include:

1. Criminal background checks: Criminal background checks can help identify potential risks and liabilities, including past criminal convictions or charges.
2. Employment history verification: Employment history verification can help verify the candidate’s employment history, including dates of employment, job titles, and duties.
3. Education verification: Education verification can help verify the candidate’s educational background, including degrees earned and dates of attendance.
4. Reference checks: Reference checks can provide insight into the candidate’s work history and performance from previous supervisors or colleagues.

Best Practices for Implementing Employment Screening

Implementing employment screening in your organization can help you build a stronger and more capable workforce, but it is important to do so in a compliant and effective manner. Here are some best practices to keep in mind when implementing employment screening:

1. Develop a clear and consistent screening policy: Develop a clear and consistent screening policy that outlines the types of checks that will be conducted, who will conduct them, and how they will be conducted.
2. Obtain written consent from candidates: Obtain written consent from candidates before conducting any screening checks to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
3. Use a reputable screening provider: Use a reputable screening provider that is compliant with all applicable laws and regulations and follows industry best practices.
4. Train hiring managers on the screening process: Train hiring managers on the screening process to ensure they understand how the checks will be conducted and the importance of complying with applicable laws and regulations.

Conclusion

Employment screening is a critical tool that can help employers build a stronger and more capable workforce by verifying candidate information and assessing potential risks. By implementing best practices and using reputable screening providers, employers can conduct employment screening in a compliant and effective manner, helping to protect their company and employees, hire more qualified candidates, and reduce turnover.

In conclusion, employment screening is an essential step in the hiring process that can help employers build a strong and capable workforce. By understanding the benefits of employment screening, the types of screening available, and best practices for implementing employment screening in your organization, you can make informed hiring decisions and build a team that is equipped to succeed.