Employment Background Checks
Employment background checks are not just for executive-level management. A thorough check should also be performed to avoid making any assumptions about an applicant’s history.
To help you get started, here are some essentials of a complete background check:
Current Address
Confirm a current address through a telephone directory, confirmation with landlord, rental or mortgage company, or county tax office.
Former Addresses
Confirm prior addresses through former employers, credit agencies, or by contacting landlords of former residences.
Other detailed information you might choose to verify includes the amount of rent or mortgage paid, whether it was paid on time, details of complaints made against the applicant, whether their former residence was left in good order when vacated, whether they left on their own accord, and any eviction details, if applicable.
Current and Former Employers
Employers are reticent about providing too much information on current or former employees, since negative references occasionally result in lawsuits. Most employers will verify an employee’s job title, length of employment, starting and final salary, and reason for leaving. You might obtain resumé data on old application forms to compare with the resumé of the person you are considering for the position.
A more detailed background check might include trying to establish contact with the applicant’s immediate supervisor or manager. Again, there are legal limits on taking this route and there is a fine line between gathering information and invasion of privacy. Obtain the applicant’s permission in writing if necessary. Protect your liability exposure by discussing the legality of the background check with your company’s lawyer beforehand.
Education
Transcripts from most secondary institutions can usually only be obtained either by the applicant themselves or through a signed release that includes enrollment dates, department and subject of study or major, student identification number or Social Security number, and date of birth.
A photocopy of the degree or certificate should be obtained for verification, if possible. Contact the applicable registrar’s office and they will be able to specify what is required to release information. Additionally, verify that the college is legitimate. Fake diploma mills offer degrees from fictitious institutions possessing names very similar to known established educational institutes, so do not automatically assume you recognize the name.
Credit Check
In California, you can only order a credit check on job applicants if you have a legitimate business reason, such as if the position requires it by law or involves access to sensitive information. Some examples of positions that might warrant a credit check include:
- Managerial positions
- Positions that involve regular access to personal information
- Positions that involve access to $10,000 or more of cash
References
All personal references listed by the applicant should be contacted. If it is a basic employment check, the integrity of the applicant’s personal character can be established by phone. Detailed checks may necessitate personal contact to meet with the references face to face, as the references given might otherwise provide information prejudicial in favor of the applicant.
Miscellaneous
Additional items which may be of relevance include drug tests, criminal records check in all states listed on the application form, driver’s abstracts, and records check on civil suits.
The Takeaway
Be methodical and take the time to perform a thorough background check that satisfies the need of your business.