We trust each other, don't we?
Although almost every employee in the USA or Great Britain, for example, undergoes a so-called pre-employment screening, it is not standard in the Czech environment. Many HR managers find it unnecessary, expensive or time-consuming, and administratively demanding. We are not going to snitch, it has been done before, right?
The use of a background check service is particularly recommended for people working in security-sensitive positions or requiring high qualifications or experience.
Any loss of data, know-how, resources, or incompetent decisions will cost the company very dearly. Background check prevents this. It verifies the veracity of all data and the background of the candidate. And that can sometimes make you wonder whether you will be placed in an important position.
Statistics are not boring, but a real scarecrow
Adverts, phone calls, interviews, onboarding, training... But still, the poor recruiter has no peace of mind and in case of hiring an unsuitable person, he will have to go through the whole cycle again. According to a survey by The Risk Advisory Group of a sample of 5,000 CVs:
- 80% of CVs contained inconsistencies
- 21% of candidates exaggerated their previous experience
- 12% of applicants lied about their education
When you're selecting an employee for your team, you want to make sure it's the right one. Dishonest employees will not only cause financial losses for the employer but can also significantly damage the employer's overall reputation. Yet research in the Czech Republic has shown us that:
- 90% of employers do not verify that jobseekers are debt-free
- 55% of employers rely on the truthfulness of the documents submitted for recruitment
- 32% of employers are aware of the inadequacy of their control mechanisms
The bottom line, recruiters can easily save themselves a lot of time, money, and sleepless nights with a professionally conducted screening.
What does the background check check?
Often HR staff does not know what a background check should look like, what information they can verify and how. At the same time, the mere information that a candidate passes the screening can serve to select the dishonest ones who will give up the selection process beforehand. Those who have nothing to hide have nothing to fear. The background check, which is automated by the SCAUT platform, focuses on the following areas:
- Identity and documents of the applicant. Is the applicant who he/she presents himself/herself to be? Does he/she have valid documents, a work visa, or a residence permit? It is often darkest under the candlestick and the seemingly obvious can sometimes come as an unpleasant surprise.
- Education or certification. Everyone has probably heard of forged university diplomas, certificates, or professional exams... The internet is full of them, just take your pick.
- Professional references. They look nice on paper, but are you really in contact with such a quality worker? A background check will reveal any exaggerations or deliberate concealment of unsuccessful engagements.
- Trade license and Directorship. Can the applicant's business be a risk to the employer? Good to know before you let him or her in on your know-how. Alternatively, verify that the candidate has the necessary licenses and trades to carry out his or her business and you will not violate the law by engaging him or her.
- Sanctions and watchlists. A criminal record, a wanted database, or even the status of points on a driving record are all essential factors for employers - often required by law.
- Financial probity. Remember that desperate people do desperate things. The risk of being dishonest in a foreclosure is always a consideration. And a risk I don't know about is a risk I can't manage.
From these types of screenings, the SCAUT platform will then mix the ideal packages of checks tailored to the individual positions you are currently filling:
- Pre-Interview. A quick and basic check before your first interview to help you save time and costs.
- Staff. For production, technical or administrative staff to minimize the risks of embezzlement and conflicts of interest.
- Specialist. Suitable for anyone with access to internal data or client information. All of this should be in the hands of only the most trustworthy people.
- Manager. For those with access to confidential information and decision-making authority. This will prevent any high losses.
- Executive. Ideal for executives with access to, for example, trade secrets. Your brand will not lose its uniqueness or reputation.
Outsource your background check, it pays off
It's expensive, it's time-consuming, and GDPR prohibits it... These are just a few myths that circulate pre-employment screening. Background checks can be very quick, efficient, affordable and of course, legally sound.
When outsourcing with SCAUT, which has developed a sophisticated digital platform for this purpose, you simply select the type of audit or choose from pre-selected packages and then just wait for the final report. This will give recruiters a guarantee and reassurance that the candidate is indeed trustworthy and suitable, instead of just a gut feeling.
With professional screening, HR departments can save up to hundreds of hours, so take advantage of it. Remember, impressions are not enough. Only verified information will tell you who you're working with. And remember, a person who isn't honest with you is a person you can't trust!
