Use Background Screening as a Risk Management Tool

To avoid bad hiring decisions, employers have increasingly turned to background screening as a risk management tool.

Many see it as a critical factor for protecting coworkers, customers, patients, vendors, and anyone that may interact with employees, especially in sensitive settings such as at healthcare facilities. However, there are several reasons for conducting background screenings on new and existing employees.

Increase Individual Safety

The safety of employees, customers, and visitors is an obligation of every business. However, it can be challenging. Laws and regulatory requirements only go so far. Therefore, employers are wise to consider the value of performing background checks on new hires and periodically on current employees as well. It increases individual safety and limits employer liability.

Protect Confidential Information

Any business – healthcare, retail, restaurant, to name a few – that handles customer or patient confidential information is at risk of having that information compromised. Screening employees at time of hire and periodically throughout their tenure offers employers a tool to limit that risk. However, it is important to have guidelines in place to ensure you meet legal requirements and apply rules consistently.

Meet Legal and Regulatory Compliance

In some industries, such as healthcare, screening employees at time of hire and periodically thereafter ensures compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Additionally, it helps reduce the risk of workplace violence, employee theft, negligent retention liability, and reputational harm.

Protect Organizations against Loss

From embezzlement to corruption to misappropriation of assets, fraud is costly. The typical organization loses 5% of its revenues to fraud each year, according to the 2012 Report to the Nation from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.

Whether you screen driving records pre-hire and post-accident, conduct an annual review of all driving records, annually validate professional licensure or certifications, or periodically re-check credit and criminal records, you have an obligation to exercise reasonable care when making employment decisions. Therefore, like risk management itself, background screening must be ongoing.

A reputable third-party screening company like TruDiligence can help in these screening procedures. We offer fast, accurate, comprehensive background checks, investigative screening, and verification services. Contact us today for further information and assistance.