| A thorough background search is your best
tool in ensuring that the person you hire is the person he says he is. Some of these
methods are also useful in verifying the background and qualifications of prospective
vendors. Because a proper search can be time consuming, you may not want to conduct it
yourself. No matter who conducts the search for you, the extra time spent checking out the
following details now will save you lots of time, money and embarrassment later. Some
general guidelines:
- Inform the applicant that any offer of employment is contingent upon the results
of a background check.
- Obtain a signed release from the applicant allowing their information to be given
out.
- Document every response, or lack of response, whether good, bad or indifferent.
- Generally, telephone requests generate more information than written requests
with less waiting time.
Employment References
Previous employers are the best source of information on how a prospective employee
will perform. Many companies have policies permitting only "name, |
rank, serial number"
information to be disclosed for fear of being sued. You may want to remind such employers
that the information they give is qualifiedly privileged, which means they are protected
from lawsuits unless the information is known to be false or given in bad faith. Also,
call the main operator to verify that you are calling a legitimate business. It is not
uncommon for an applicant to give you the name of a former employer and then have a friend
pose as that employer. (Remember the ‘Vandalay Industries’ episode of
"Seinfeld?") Information to get from previous employers:
- Dates of employment, titles, salary
- Job responsibilities
- Job performance
- Reason for leaving
Education References
Education is one of the leading areas in which applicants provide false
information, so it is critical to verify every possible detail. At minimum, verify their
attendance and degree from the college or university. If you have never heard of the
school, call the institution and ask the type of school it is and if it is accredited.
Information to get from educational institutions:
- Dates of attendance
- Degree and Major
- Copies of transcripts
|
Driving Records If
the applicant is to do any job-related driving, especially with a company vehicle, then a
driving record check is imperative. Besides listing driving offenses, driving records are
also valuable for verifying the person’s identity and identifying possible substance
abuse problems, (i.e., applicant has been convicted of drunken driving). Information can
be obtained from the state Department of Motor Vehicles, usually for a small fee. You will
need to have certain basic information about the applicant handy, including the
driver’s license number.
Here is the information you can obtain from driving records:
- All driving violations
- Driving related offenses
Criminal Records
Checking a person’s criminal record can be a potential minefield, so be careful.
As a prospective employer, you have to walk a fine line between protecting your business
interests and violating an applicant’s civil rights. You will want to check the
conviction records of anyone applying for a sensitive position, especially one that
involves handling cash or valuables, drugs, weapons, explosives, master keys, working with
the patients or with children. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a national
criminal record |
check that
employers can utilize. Conviction records are maintained on a statewide or countywide
basis, so checking an applicant who has moved frequently can be an arduous task. Arrest
records are generally not available for inspection. Even if you access someone’s
arrest record, you must remember that an arrest is not proof that the person committed a
crime, and the arrest can only be considered as it relates to the position applied for. In
checking an applicant’s criminal record, you must be careful to comply with all
federal and state laws regarding anti-discrimination.
Credit Reports
Anyone applying for a position involved in overseeing company finances, approving or
issuing company checks or even holding a company credit card should be subject to a credit
check. You should keep an eye out for evidence of credit problems such as tax liens,
judgments or personal bankruptcy. (The rationale is that a person who cannot handle their
own finances will be unsuited to manage your company’s.) Credit reports can also help
verify Social Security numbers, determine previous residences, discover other names by
which the applicant may be known, and
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