From the cleaning staff to the CEO what level of background check is appropriate?
It is no more the level of the employee but the security environment and security requirements that determine which level and how background checks should be conducted.
A bad cleaner may be as bad as a CEO with doubtful integrity. Normally employers do not take chances and make sure that they opt for employment screening or background checks of all their employees, irrespective of the positions they hold.
They are justified in getting the background and credentials of a member of the cleaning staff as well as the top executive, CEO, done before employing anyone. Levels of background checks and agencies or means used for conducting background checks may vary and differ but certain mandatory checks are now becoming increasingly mandatory.
Different background checks for employees at different levels!
It is a common saying that no two individuals are same. In any organization no two employees though working at the same level position may be the same. Each individual has his or her own good and bad points, weaknesses and strengths.
After 9/11, security environments have changed so much that many employers also go for Immigration and Visa checks of all their employees, from the cleaning staff to the CEO, to make sure that they are legally permitted to work. This check must invariably be applied to all employment seekers who are immigrants but still not citizens.
Further, background checks or employment screening also varies depending upon the level of the employee. Members of the cleaning staff may only need general background check, including police check for their criminal record, conviction record, if any and also the credit report. Besides, the employers can also ask for their sex offences record and in some cases may be drug test reports. In such cases personal references are seldom contacted.
But for professionals employed for higher or specified positions, like CEO, may need a different background check or employment screening. For employing a Finance Manager or Accounts Manager, employers would also like to go back to the professional bodies to check professional license, qualification and personal standing report of a chartered accountant, finance manager or accounts officer.
Check on professional qualifications and licenses?
Similarly, for employing any other professional say engineer, doctor, interior designer, mechanic, skilled worker, or any other professional, verification of professional qualifications, licenses and ethics check reports are mandatory, especially when employer is looking for a CEO.
Also the employers would like to make sure that people they are going to appoint to responsible positions handling finances, human resources, production and distribution have no record of resorting to malpractice, trade or business exploitations, pilferage, cheating, frauds, concealments or trading professional secrets of their previous employers. These checks may not be relevant or necessary for lower level employees but checking is a must with higher and responsible positions.
It is the sensitivity of position that is the decisive factor in ascertaining what level of background check, professional check or pre-employment screening needs to be done for employing people at different professional levels. At some senior positions, CEO or COO, many times personal references are used effectively for a feedback from previous employers and professionally related experts. The bottom line is to make sure you use all the means at your disposal to screen employees or executives.
