PRE-EMPLOYMENT BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION

~    WHY?    ~

Pre-Employment Background Investigations have been initiated by pro-active employers who are concerned about properly evaluating and selecting applicants for employment.  In addition, the process of conducting periodic re-examinations of Directors, key Officers, and employees entrusted with fiduciary or other responsible positions have been initiated.  Background investigations are designed to assist in the selection and evaluation of potential employees or business partners.

Employment Background Investigations, including research into Consumer Credit Profiles, must be accompanied by a release of information signed by the employee.

	A variety of State and Federal laws have been initiated which require businesses to conduct background investigations or criminal history checks on employees or volunteers who work with children, the elderly, and the mentally or physically disabled.  The need for these pro-active measures have been initiated based on the increased focus on the prevention of child abuse, abduction, sexual misconduct, and crimes against the elderly and the handicapped.
	Negligent Hiring lawsuits have increased.  Employers, primarily those that provide services inside a customer’s home or business, have been the target of lawsuits following the misconduct or actions of an employee who has harmed a customer, another employee, or the general public.  A company who fails to conduct a pre-employment background check which could proactively protect customers, coworkers, and the public from an at-risk employee, are at a higher risk of negligence lawsuits.
	Personal reference checks can be conducted by investigators who are trained
	in the art of interviewing.  Privacy laws prevent employers from disclosing detailed information about a former employee’s performance and the reasons for termination.  However, employers who desire a thorough evaluation of an applicant’s prior employment history can request a personalized investigation involving interviews with individuals referenced on their application as well as persons identified through the investigative process.
	Prospective employees routinely misrepresent their education, experience, criminal record, and work history on employment applications.  Verification of information provided by prospective employees will help an employer reduce the risk of potential employment related issues.  This proactive approach to hiring will reduce the overhead costs relating to monetary loss resulting from employee malfeasance, the costs associated with lengthy internal investigations, personnel administrative costs of rehiring and training, workman’s compensation costs, and the rise in liability insurance premiums.

While many agencies will offer a standard online “criminal background check” for a low fee, these companies use dated reports, they do not evaluate the findings against the employment application, verify information provided by the prospective employee, and they will not clearly disclose the fact that criminal history is limited to certain states under a standard online search.

Online data searches are conducted when the employer requires a more immediate identification of potential risks involved with a current or prospective employee.  Multiple online data reports are reviewed, compared, and evaluated for accuracy.