Small businesses are the backbone of the economy, and our communities, but they often face unique challenges. One area where mistakes can be costly is in the hiring process. Background checks might seem like an extra step, and expense, but in the long run, they can actually save your business time, money, and headaches.

Common Background Check Mistakes Small Businesses Make

Many small business owners underestimate the importance of background checks or make critical errors when conducting them. Here are some common pitfalls:

  • Skipping Background Checks Altogether: This is a huge risk. Without a background check, you could be hiring someone with a criminal history, a sex offender, a history of substance abuse, or a poor work ethic.
  • DIY Background Checks: While it might seem tempting to save money by conducting background checks in-house, it’s often a mistake. The process is complex, and there are numerous legal and compliance issues to consider.  👉Pro Tip; a DYI background check is not usually FCRA compliant, opening you up to a lawsuit!
  • Neglecting to Verify References: References can be easily faked. It’s essential to verify employment history and qualifications independently.  This can sometimes be costly, but if your candidate is claiming that they worked somewhere for a significant period of time, verifying that information is key.

The Benefits of Hiring a Reputable Background Screening Firm

Partnering with a PBSA accredited professional background screening firm like ProVerify can offer numerous advantages:

  • Expertise and Compliance: Stay updated on ever-changing employment laws and regulations, ensuring your business is compliant.
  • Comprehensive Checks: We offer a wide range of checks, including criminal records, employment verification, education verification, drug screening, and more.
  • Time Savings: Let the team at ProVerify tackle this task for you – it will free up your time to focus on core business operations.
  • Improved Hiring Decisions: Accurate and thorough background checks help you make informed hiring choices, reducing turnover and increasing productivity.
  • Risk Mitigation: By identifying potential red flags, you can protect your business from theft, violence, and other liabilities.
  • Lawsuit Prevention: Comprehensive background checks can help you avoid costly lawsuits by minimizing the risk of hiring someone with a history of misconduct.  The support of a reputable company to help you navigate the pre-adverse and adverse action process when the need arises is very important.

2nd chance hiring is a hot topic. You don’t necessarily have to deny someone employment because of a past record, but it will help you make a better placement within your company if you know the details.

Investing in a reputable background screening firm is not an expense; it’s an investment in your business’s future. By avoiding common mistakes and leveraging professional expertise, you can build a stronger, more secure workforce.  From the ease of use on the front end to initiate the background check, to the support throughout the process, this small expense basically pays for itself!

Consider partnering with a trusted firm like ProVerify. We offer a range of services tailored to businesses of all sizes, including criminal background checks, drug testing, employment verification, and more. Our trained team of experts are here to provide peace of mind and help you make informed hiring decisions.  Want to learn more about ProVerify?  Email us!  sales@applicationverification.com or call 412-877-8937.