Screening new hires? That’s a no-brainer. You should definitely consider doing so in order to avoid liability for negligent hiring.
But screening current employees? Umm. Well. Maybe?
You’re not the only one wondering.
The question of whether to screen or not to screen current employees is a pretty common one. It’s not something all companies embrace, but for the same reason you should consider screening new hires, you should also consider screening employees during the term of their employment.
So, how often should you screen? What re-screening policy would be a good fit for your company? Here are a couple ideas to consider.
Things happen and people change. Just because you hired a person with a clean background check say, five years ago, obviously doesn’t mean their background will still be the same today. That’s why a successful background screening program includes ongoing checks. We’re not suggesting checks every six months. Experts say most company policies include screening every 2 to 5 years.
Weigh the risk and reward. While screening of current employees do help protect the company from criminal activity, it’s also important to note that some findings may not be connected to the workplace and may be outside the seven-year reporting limitation. That means they’ll be unable to be used for termination evidence.
Always consider compliance. Like any type of screening, it’s important to set a company policy that complies with all current laws. What’s the best way to handle ongoing screening? Making it known from the beginning that ongoing background checks will be a regular part of the workplace practice.
Setting an ongoing screening policy and sticking with it can help ensure safety is top priority for everyone in your company. That’s why it’s important to work with ClearStar. We make your screening solutions our top priority. Contact us today to learn more.
