If you’re an employer considering launching a pre employment screening program you may find yourself quickly overwhelmed by the rules and regulations surrounding such a seemingly simple endeavor. What begins as a basic desire to conduct “due diligence” on a prospective employee soon opens up a slew of obligations. For the inexperienced and time-starved manager, it’s tempting to throw in the towel and continue hiring as usual. Here we present the many reasons to pursue pre employment screening and more importantly, a simple no-nonsense way to get it done.

Great. But first, where’s your signed disclosure? Your employment screening policy? What will you do if the background check delivers an undesirable report? What type of background check do you want/need to perform? How will you avoid discrimination? The answers to these questions may lead you to retreat into your corner or continue to procrastinate.

The trouble is, employers that elect to bypass pre-employment background checks risk potential lawsuits, loss of profits, and reputation damage. In fact, according to the Society of Human Resources Management, the primary reasons to conduct employment screening are to reduce or prevent theft and embezzlement, and to reduce liability for negligent hiring. And considering employers lose 70% of all negligent hiring claims with average damages of $1M spending the average $50 or less on a background check seems well worth the effort.

Taking the Pain Out of the Pre Employment Screening Process:

Assuming you’re convinced – as 80% of corporate America is – that pre employment screening is necessary and worthwhile, the question becomes how to get it done painlessly and without drawing unnecessary time and attention away from your already busy schedule.

The answer is to outsource your screening program to a qualified employment screening company. The right company will be able to guide your way to creating a program that delivers the key strategic benefits you seek, without adding to your workload.

Using technology that integrates right into your existing applicant tracking system or through a standalone web-based ordering system that builds in automated applicant consents, online report delivery, and more – a background screening company will take the burden away and allow you to make better, more informed hiring decisions.

Michael Gaul is VP of Business Development for Proforma Screening Solutions. With more than 20 years experience in fields of human capital risk management, physical security, and employment background screening, Michael crafts successful solutions to help employers make better hiring decisions. Proforma Screening Solutions is a Virginia-based background screening company that offers on-demand employment background checks, employment screening, and employment verification services to employers nationwide. For details visit www.proformascreening.com.