The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has altered the way billions of businesses have operated across the globe. Now more than ever, businesses must find new ways to pivot and generate revenue, maintain customers, maintain appropriate workforce levels while reducing new risks associated with fraud, theft, and cybersecurity that impact their customers, suppliers, and employees. To mitigate these risks, businesses should evaluate their current employment background screening processes, and if necessary, make the necessary enhancements to ensure alignment and support of their business goals.
While it’s understandable to limit human interaction and follow state and federal social distancing guidelines, the importance of employment background checks is still paramount even in a virtual recruitment environment.
For decades employers have relied on employment background checks to more thoroughly vet candidates and mitigate hiring risk associated with bringing on unqualified candidates or talent that has shown risky past behavior. They also conduct employment background checks to minimize negligent hiring or negligent retention claims.
Rightfully so, because organizations want to be confident, they are hiring the best talent. Similarly, forgoing an employment background check can have disastrous results as some people simply aren’t who they claim to be.
Fast and Accurate Background Checks Matter
Employment background checks are supposed to be both fast and accurate for two main reasons. First, an appropriate background check ensures that a vacancy is filled promptly and respects the chosen applicant’s time.
In addition, an accurate background check saves an organization from the embarrassment and chaos of dealing with an unscrupulous individual. Amid the challenges of COVID-19, fast and accurate background checks still matter.
The cost of hiring an employee is tremendous. Therefore, it’s essential to make sure that your first selection is an appropriate one.
Today’s Hiring Demand is Urgent
Countless local and corporate enterprises have been affected by the pandemic. Unfortunately, the pandemic has initially caused the closure of millions of local businesses, franchises, and larger companies.
Now that CDC guidelines have become less stringent, organizations are again beginning to hire more people. This has led to a competitive market and higher demand for hiring talent. Hence, if your business is on the cusp of hiring qualified talent, you don’t want a delayed background check to hinder the entire process.
Job openings are ubiquitous across the country. This means that people have a choice to work where they please, in-person, virtually, or change careers or type of work. In fact, there are more job openings than qualified persons to fill them. A drawn-out employment background check could be the factor that causes a selected applicant to consider other options.
As a result, you miss out on that one candidate that you really wanted to be part of your team. Yes, you can hire your second choice, but who really wants that option? So, rather than missing out or even having to start over with the recruitment process, it’s crucial to have an efficient and reliable background-check process already lined up.
The Lack of Talent is Still Very Clear
One of the oddities of our current economy is that while many jobs are still available and hiring is a challenge for many employers, unemployment rates remain astronomically high at the same time. There are several reasons for the lack of qualified candidates and the challenges employers face with filling open positions.
This means that it’s imperative to facilitate an efficient employment background check. If you miss out on a qualified employee, there is no guarantee that you’ll quickly find another suitable candidate.
This can result in your business losing money for ignoring to implement a quick employment background check process. Superior candidates have choices, and they know it. They deserve to be respected and immediately cycled through HR processes.
Business leaders, employees, and even HR managers agree that these processes need to be handled efficiently. Today’s lack of talent only creates a more pressing need for organizations to hire the best talent immediately.
Want to Learn More?
Employment background checks are performed in nearly every business in the United States. There is no option to forgo or delay them, even in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you would like to learn more about our employment background check services, please call us at 267-419-1390, click here or send an inquiry to: info@firstcontacthr.com.