Manufacturing plants and factories are the backbones of the economy. The manufacturing industry encompasses a broad range of activities. With people involved in various positions, from executive staff to plant workers, it is essential to ensure that the hired talent has the knowledge, skills, and training to perform their jobs and does not pose any risk to the company or coworkers. That’s where background checks for manufacturing employees come in.
Pre-employment screening is an essential step in the hiring process. It helps ensure that employers only recruit qualified and adequately vetted candidates in manufacturing plants. This article discusses the importance of employment background checks for manufacturing plants regarding productivity and workplace security.
Employment Screenings for Manufacturing Industries
In addition to helping you avoid risks, background checks can also help you align your workforce with your company’s goals. The manufacturing industry consists of a very expansive workforce in skills and positions. A position-centric background screening package ensures that the vetting criteria and the candidate’s skill set align with the specific job profile.
As a standard employment practice, employers should include criminal history, social security number trace, drug test, and public records in their background screening. In addition, employers should use credit reports when appropriate from credit bureaus for a more in-depth screening before making employment decisions.
Following is a list of some of the essential records that manufacturing employers should review during their onboarding t process to avoid potential risks:
Identity Verifications
Identity verifications include a social security number trace, including a thorough screening of names, aliases, and addresses associated with the SSN. A social security number trace may also reveal if the SSN is associated with a decreased person or whether other persons are associated with the SSN.
E-Verify
Employer Eligibility Verification is a web-based service used to verify a qualified candidate’s eligibility for employment. E-Verify allows employers to electronically compare information provided by a candidate on Form I-9 with data from the Social Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security.
Criminal Records Research
Manufacturers and factories often work with sensitive materials, information, or intellectual property. A criminal history check can tell employers whether an applicant has been convicted of crimes of financial misconduct, theft, violence, or inflicting harm upon other employees in previous jobs.
Sex Offender Registry Checks
Pre-employment background checks should include a national or statewide search of the sex offender registry to ensure the workplace safety of all employees. All our background screening solutions have this search since it may uncover sex offenders from states other than the one where your business operates.
Employment Verifications
The manufacturing industry is well-known for its high demand for skilled professionals and expertise in operating heavy machinery. In addition, the executives may also need to have a certain amount of experience to ensure that the workers are performing efficiently. Therefore, the employer must verify an applicant’s employment records to determine if their work history aligns with the resume, employment application, and the employer’s skill requirements.
Educational Verifications
Verifying those potential employees are qualified for their roles is crucial. With educational verification, employers can learn the applicant’s dates of attendance, graduation date, highest degree attained, and GPA. It may also be necessary for hourly workers to verify whether a high school diploma or GED was obtained to rule out hiring a dishonest person.
Motor Vehicle Records Review (Drivers)
MVR Review is essential for job candidates applying for the transportation industry or positions that would require driving a forklift or driving during business hours. . For example, manufacturing jobs involving shipment or delivery should require an MVR review.
The information contained in MVR records can confirm the validity of a license and reveal the date on which it will expire. State laws vary concerning the period for driving information in MVR reports. For example, in some states, driving record details are available and maintained for up to seven years, while others include up to 3 or 5 years.
Substance Abuse Testing
Maintaining a safe and hazard-free work environment is critical for the manufacturing industry. Implementing a substance abuse testing program is one step to ensuring that workers are not operating machines and hazardous materials while under the influence of substances. Businesses can ensure that employees work in a safe and healthy environment with a random, reasonable suspicion and post-accident drug testing program.
Keeping Your Business Secure and Compliant
A common misconception is that these reviews are only performed when a job candidate applies, but background checks can also be performed on existing employees. Continuous background checks help employers stay on top of employee information. As new information becomes available, employers should update background check reports about recent violations or license revocations for existing employees. An assessment of further data is critical before promoting, retaining, or changing jobs or departments for existing employees,
The background screening process should comply with state, county, and federal laws. In addition, regulations under the Fair Credit Reporting Act and local ordinances are in place to protect employees from non-consensual background screening, misuse of private information, and discrimination.
For employers, violating the FCRA or negligence while conducting background investigations may translate into expensive lawsuits and affect the company’s reputation. Most third-party contractors offer background screening services compliant with the FCRA, EEOC, and Federal regulations. Getting legal counsel can also help understand the rules and limitations outlined by local and federal agencies when conducting background checks.
Hire Smarter with First Contact HR
For any employer, ensuring the safety and security of their employees is extremely important. Hiring the right employee in the manufacturing industry is crucial, whether working on the factory floor or in an office. Background screenings help employers mitigate legal liabilities and provide a safe workplace for their employees.
As the job market picks up, background checks must be quick and easily accessible to employers. On average, First Contact HR provides clients with comprehensive background check reports in less than two days. In addition, our model enables us to produce accurate background check reports that can be electronically transmitted to our clients for ease of access and prompt results.
Fully customizable to meet your unique business requirements, our background check information is obtained from various federal oversight agencies and state regulators to ensure a fair, accurate, and compliant background check. For more information, please request a quote or additional information.