Companies invest in their future success by building a relevant workforce and future leaders. Internships are a way for companies to provide firsthand experience to prospective employees. Internships target fresh graduates, working professionals looking to change careers, or individuals earning higher education degrees. The entry-level experience offered to develop professionals helps them learn the company’s day-to-day functions.

While interns initially work with the company for a short period, they offer valuable support for the business and its employees. They also tend to be ambitious and bring a fresh perspective to things.

As they enter their new workplace, interns are often tagged to experienced staff for handholding. Mentors or senior buddies help interns find their ground in the organization and guide them along their career paths. However, it is also not uncommon to see interns being given a bulk of the workload from existing employees to free up the employees for more “meaningful” work. The workload in some companies is so huge that interns either hurry through their formal training or do not complete it.

Risks Involved in Hiring Unvetted Interns

Hiring interns bring positive publicity to the business and helps build a strong brand image within the community. Because interns are often in close proximity to sensitive information or company property, it’s essential to know that they can be trusted. If an ill-trained intern begins to handle sensitive company information, it can be a recipe for disaster. Imagine the outcome of sensitive client information mishandled by interns. It makes sense to get background checks done for interns (both paid and otherwise) who may come close to sensitive company data.

Background Checks for Interns: The Pros

Running background checks for incoming employees is part of the HR hiring process and minimizes hiring risks. Such reviews include background screenings, due diligence investigations, drug testing, fingerprinting, etc. Unless explicitly specified, interns hired by the companies often end up getting converted into full-time employees. Therefore, getting a background check done before the start of an internship makes it easy for employers to consider interns for future growth within the organization. Imagine working with a very bright intern during their apprentice period only to recognize later that they are ineligible to be hired full-time due to a negative due diligence report.

Background checks cost money to employers, but their long-term advantages might outweigh the costs. They can help ensure a safe work environment, verify qualifications, and avoid potential legal issues.

Background Checks for Interns: The Cons

So, should background checks be conducted on interns? There is no straight answer. Let’s bring an intern’s perspective into the discussion. Any employer who asks for a background check before the beginning of the internship may breed a feeling of distrust from the very first day.

As a norm, background checks get initiated once the candidate is issued a conditional job offer. However, employment still needs to be finalized. If interns are asked to provide details for a background check before starting work, they may ask for clarification. Such a demand may even put them off completely.

Some employers may be against background checks for interns because they take time, cost some money, may deter qualified candidates, or, if not done correctly, violate privacy rights.

Tips for Conducting Background Checks on Interns

If you’ve decided that conducting background checks on interns is suitable for your company, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. Here are some tips to help you ensure that the process goes smoothly:

Make sure you have a legitimate reason for conducting the check: As we mentioned above, it’s essential to make sure you have a legitimate reason for conducting a background check on an intern. Simply wanting to “vet” candidates is not enough – you need to be able to show that the information you’re requesting is relevant to the internship and necessary for ensuring a safe and productive work environment.

Get consent from the intern: Before conducting a background check, you’ll need consent. This means you’ll need to explain why you’re doing the check and what information you’ll be looking for. Once you have the intern’s consent, get it in writing.

Use a reputable background check service: Many companies offer background check services. When selecting a provider, be sure to choose one that’s reputable and has experience conducting checks on interns.

Be aware of the law: Many laws govern background checks at the federal and state levels. Be sure to familiarize yourself with these laws so that you don’t inadvertently violate anyone’s rights during the process.

Keep information confidential: Once you’ve obtained information from a background check, it’s important to keep it confidential. This means not sharing it with anyone who doesn’t need to know and ensuring that it’s stored in a secure location.

Care is Needed While Asking for Background Checks

Employers should tread a cautious path when asking for background checks before hiring interns. Wherever the assessment is justified, it should be done. A background check is necessary when the intern handles sensitive information, cash, or the company’s valuable assets. A background check may be skipped if the intern is only going to shadow their mentor or not working directly in high-risk situations. The onus is on managers or mentors to keep a close eye on interns while on the job.

As the saying goes, “A stitch in time saves nine” there is no harm in getting background checks done before hiring interns. The small cost involved completely outweighs the risk of hiring an unsuitable intern. And – an intern might be offered a permanent position after the internship. In that case, the first step towards permanent employment would already be in the books.

First Contact HR is your best choice for comprehensive background screening services. Make your hiring process future-proof and ensure smooth business processes with us. Our specialists ensure that our services comply with the latest screening regulations. Build a robust employee candidate pool by hiring the right interns vetted by our certified team of HR professionals. Contact us at: https://firstcontacthr.com/contact-us/