In March 2022, TechTarget reported that industry data reveals that 93% of firms now conduct standard pre-hire background checks. Reports also indicate that, until recently, only one in five employers went on to conduct post-hire or continuous background checks. However, the number of real-time employee screenings increased from 12% in 2020 to 19% in 2021.
With such a jump in adoption over the past few years, these employee screening updates are worth exploring for your business.
What Is a Continuous Background Screening?
A continuous background check or screening is a process wherein you run regular, real-time background checks on your current employees. These screenings provide alerts regarding any changes in your employees’ criminal history to help you understand and manage any increased risks in your organization.
What Do Continuous Background Checks Consist Of?
When conducting continuous background checks for your entire workforce, you or your trusted background screening partner will monitor employee records in real-time to identify and flag internal threats and safety matters.
Why Is a Post-Hire Background Check Important?
There are several reasons that continuous background checks provide excellent value for employers, including:
- Minimizes risk by uncovering post-hire activities that might pose a threat
- Allows an employer to confidently offer a promotion or leadership role to an existing employee
- Protects the employer from any liability for an employee’s criminal behavior
- Provides peace of mind when authorizing an employee for access to sensitive information
- Establishes a company-wide baseline for expected employee conduct
What Are the Potential Negative Impacts of Only Conducting a Pre-Hire Background Check?
Anything can change from the hire date for your employees. You never know if they might experience some type of personal or mental issue that sparks a change in their behavior, inside or outside of work.
If an employee commits a crime or has a work-related auto accident while working for you, it could expose your employees and the public to danger and your business to legal issues.
How Do Businesses Typically Conduct Continuous Background Screenings?
Some employers rely on a software-based system that alerts them if an employee is charged with a crime or arrested, while other businesses hire a professional background screening company.
Businesses might monitor employee records for real-time information on one or more of the following:
- Criminal records
- Motor vehicle and driving records
- Vital information such as name changes or aliases
- Credit records
- Social media
What Do Employers Do If They Receive a Negative Continuous Screening Alert?
Organizational leadership and HR must choose how to proceed if they receive an employee crime alert. They might terminate or suspend the employee until the case is resolved and the charges are dropped. In other cases, the employer might receive an alert if an employee is ultimately convicted of a crime.
A high-caliber screening team with experienced legal professionals can help you navigate this sensitive area, since it is illegal in some states to make any employment-related decisions unless charges and an arrest lead to a conviction.
Do You Need Help Starting an Effective Continuous Background Check Process?
Now is a great time to start conducting continuous background screenings to ensure nothing has changed in your employees’ history since the hiring date. Our GVN background screening team can help you conduct continuous and legally compliant background checks. We will ensure that you never miss any recent risk-oriented situations that could endanger your employees or customers or harm your business reputation. With our help, you can enjoy continuous confidence in the process and your team members.
Contact us to learn about our full menu of background screenings and other services.