Giant Blog

Basics of employment screening

Written by Holly Spiers | Jun 16, 2023 10:37:00 AM

In the world of modern jobs, it's super important to stay up to date and ensure employment screening is taking place. That's where "Screen Time with Kerry and Kelly" comes in! A new series dedicated to employment screening. In their first episode, Kerry and Kelly covered the basics of background screening. They spoke about why it's so important, how to make a good legal screening plan, and how technology changes the process.

Why background screening matters:

Background screening is a thorough job check-up done by employers before you hire individuals. Whether it's permanent, contingent, or temporary hires, most companies conduct background screening. The checks might be different depending on the job, but legally, the right-to-work verification is mandatory. Plus, there are extra checks that laws and employers require.

"They're really good to work with. They understand your business and what matters, and they always provide a friendly, professional service. "

In the world of modern jobs, it's super important to stay up to date and ensure employment screening is taking place. That's where "Screen Time with Kerry and Kelly" comes in! A new series dedicated to employment screening. In their first episode, Kerry and Kelly covered the basics of background screening. They spoke about why it's so important, how to make a good legal screening plan, and how technology changes the process.

Why background screening matters:

Background screening is a thorough job check-up done by employers before you hire individuals. Whether it's permanent, contingent, or temporary hires, most companies conduct background screening. The checks might be different depending on the job, but legally, the right-to-work verification is mandatory. Plus, there are extra checks that laws and employers require.

But why is background screening essential?

  • - Protection: It safeguards a company's intellectual property, individuals, and brand reputation.
  • - Legal Compliance: With the advent of the new economic crime bill, regulatory compliance is non-negotiable.
  • - Quality of Hire: It enhances the quality of your workforce.
  • - Risk Mitigation: By identifying potential risks early, companies can mitigate them effectively.
  • - Quality Assurance: Ensuring stakeholder reassurance and trust in your hiring process is paramount.

Creating a robust screening program involves several steps

Crafting an efficient and legal screening program is a multi-step process that requires careful consideration. First and foremost, it's crucial to understand and prioritise legal and regulatory compliance, placing a strong emphasis on data privacy and selecting checks that align with your business needs. Collaboration with senior stakeholders and recruitment partners is essential to ensure that the screening process is well-informed and aligned with the organisation's goals. Next, you must decide whether to manage screening in-house or entrust it to external experts, a decision that should be based on your specific requirements and resources. Maintaining accurate and GDPR-compliant records is vital to ensure data protection and compliance. Additionally, creating a written policy outlining the screening objectives and applying consistency in the types of checks conducted, making sure they are relevant to the roles being filled, and are essential to crafting an effective screening program.

Using technology to streamline

Technology plays a pivotal role in streamlining background screening:

- Seamless Integrations: Consolidate your screening tools with existing HR software for a unified hiring process.

- Automated Preliminary Checks: Software can automatically disqualify candidates based on predetermined criteria.

- Real-Time Updates: Receive instant notifications regarding a candidate's screening status.

- Data-Driven Decisions: Utilise predictive analytics to avoid future bad hires.

- Interactive Dashboards: Visualise your entire hiring funnel on one screen for comprehensive insights.

Tips for compliance

Compliance is a fundamental aspect of background screening, and it's essential to keep things simple and clear. First, make sure to stay updated by regularly adjusting your processes to match evolving rules and regulations. GDPR compliance is crucial, so ensure your procedures align with data protection laws. Maintain detailed records of every screening action to enhance transparency and accountability. Finally, enhancing data security by streamlining systems and processes to safeguard sensitive information.

Episode 2: Digital Right to Work in the UK

Mark your calendars for October 19th, 2023, as Kerry and Kelly return with Episode 2. In this next episode, they'll discuss the Digital Right to Work in the UK, featuring a guest speaker from the government solution provider, Yoti.  Stay tuned for more insights into the dynamic world of employment screening.