By Katie Pillion
Vice President, Genesis Background Screening Services
In many companies, especially smaller businesses, HR professionals wonder if it is really necessary to use time and financial resources to do thorough background screening. They may be relying on their own people skills to evaluate and check references for their candidates or using a quick screen on a do-it-yourself site.
Today’s workplace environment dictates a much more comprehensive approach. When you consider the potential loss from theft, violence, litigation, and the affects on your productivity, professional background screening is a must-have bargain that pays for itself many times over.
If your company works with financial, medical, or any confidential information, children, seniors, handicapped clients, hazardous materials or industries where public safety could be at risk, background screening is fundamental in your ability to perform your services and comply with regulations that change frequently. The time you will waste trying to understand regulation compliance and figuring out how to interpret the information yourself can be an exercise in frustration.
In addition to regulation compliance, poor hiring practices also take their toll on your company. Negligent hiring can populate your business with lower quality employees and actually deter talented professionals from applying for your positions. Companies with professional background screening in place are less likely to be flooded with resumes from applicants with low character. Quality applicants welcome background screening because they know it produces a better work environment for them.
Bad hires are costly. In addition to poor quality employees that do not fulfill the work you need done, there is also the out-and-out thieves, irresponsible and violent people that will cause you to lose revenue, reduce productivity, and affect your ability to attract and keep employees and clients. It probably doesn’t surprise you that it isn’t just rank and file employees who steal or create volatile situations in the workplace – it is frequently someone in an authoritative position and their behaviors can influence and impact a whole department or company.
You not only owe it to your staff and customers to provide a safe environment, but it is in your own best interest to prevent costly problems by performing due diligence. Consider professional pre-employment background checks a cost efficient tool to building the best staff, avoiding monetary losses, preventing litigation, and the negative impact of a poor hire. For more information, contact Genesis Background Screening Services at 866 944-0041 ext 106, email getstarted@gbsspro.com or visit www.genesisbackgroundscreening.com
