Where background checks matter most

Background screening is arguably one of the most essential steps in human resource management and staff recruitment today. They assist with improving transparency and disclosure, ensuring that informed decisions can be made regarding one of the most important assets of an organisation - its employees. Prospective employees may not always be 100% upfront when applying for a position with companies. Employing the use of a background check programme can therefore assist with red flagging criminal behaviour, unverified qualifications, fabricated experience and other relevant information, before the legally binding employment contract is signed.

 

Rudi Kruger, general manager for LexisNexis Risk Management, delves into how background checks act as an investment in rooting out unsuitable candidates. “It is a well-worn phrase, ‘The best predictor of future behaviour is past behaviour.’ While it is not necessarily always the case, the fact an employee/employer relationship is legally binding means that employees cannot be fired in the event of certain behaviour patterns showing up only after they are hired.” 

 

For this reason, an employment contract should not be entered into until all the relevant checks are concluded and the results are available for clear and factual assessment.