Is Background Screening Worth It?

Yesterday I wrote 4 Ways That Employee Screening Boosts Employers’ ROI.  Today I want to share an article I found on the HR Management website.  It’s called “The ROI of Background Screening: Making Financial Sense of “Best Practices.”

Here’s a snippet:

“At the heart of every good Human Resources or Risk Management hiring strategy is employment background screening. Employment background screening is widely recognized as a necessary process that is designed to keep out undesirable candidates, but it also represents a significant expense. The question then is this: How much actual dollar value does a background screening program deliver?”

The Answer

Photo Credit: David Paul Ohmer

Top 4 Things You Need To Know About Employee Screening

It’s boggling to think about, but many employers still fail to conduct adequate employee screening. Sometimes, it’s the cost. Other times, it’s the perceived inconvenience. But, screening your employees before you hire them is critical. Here are the top 4 things you need to realize about employee screening…

#1 - It Protects Your Staff

Screening your employees is an integral piece to weeding out potential hires who might cause violence in your workplace. By weeding them out, you help ensure the safety of your staff.

#2 - Felonies Are The Tip Of The Iceberg

While there are some job candidates who have been convicted of a felony, there are many more who have been convicted of a misdemeanor. That includes physical assaults, inappropriate sexual behavior and even weapons charges. Plus, keep in mind that felonies are often pled down to misdemeanors.

#3 - Enormous Long-Term Savings

The cost of doing a background check on a job applicant is often less than what you’ll pay that applicant for their first day working. But, if that new employee turns out to be a problem, it can cost your company tens of thousands of dollars.

#4 - Ongoing Screening Is Important

A lot of employers conduct an initial background check before hiring a person. But, they never follow-up with subsequent checks. Periodic background checks on your current staff can help your company manage the ongoing risk of a potential problem erupting.

Screening your employees involves much more than simply calling their references and past employers. Your human resources personnel should have a screening process in place to conduct background checks on both prospective hires and your current staff. The cost of neglecting to do so can be massive.