1. I nvestor Newslette r
Preventing Legal Liability With Employment Pre
Screening
Employment pre screening is an effective tool for hiring the best candidate along
with helping to limit a company's liability from the actions of their employees.
Across most industries today, companies make sure the candidate and position are a
are being held liable for the actions of their good fit. Also explain any legal issues
employees that were hired without associated with employment background
undergoing an employment pre screening. checks; teachers and healthcare
For example, if a caregiver abuses elderly professionals will expect a screening due to
patients and has a record of violent crimes, the nature of their fields.
it is the responsibility of the employer to
catch that record during employment It also pays to consult a lawyer to make
background checks and prevent that sure that the screening process adheres to
person from being in a healthcare position. local and federal guidelines and will help
cover a business's legal liability.
With this legal fact in mind, it is more
important than ever to implement an Limiting Legal Liability
effective employment pre screening
program. In addition to learning more about Many recent events are driving the law
a candidate in order to make informed towards having employers responsible for
hiring decisions, companies will limit their their employees' actions. Since the terrorist
liability. actions of September 11th, people working
with infrastructure, mass transportation,
Establishing An Employment shipping, and border control positions are
Pre Screening Program under increased scrutiny. Any job
interacting with children, from daycare to
Whether required by law or driven by a driving a school bus, requires a check on
desire to find highly qualified candidates, criminal records. Even accountants and
employment background checks allow executives are not above scrutiny after the
hiring personnel to employ the best latest round of financial meltdowns and
candidates possible. In order to be wrongdoing.
effective, a program has to be established
at the beginning of the hiring process. The best way to limit legal liability is to stay
informed. Pre employment screening
Always be upfront with candidates about functions to screen out candidates who can
how and why a check is being done. The do harm to a business. More importantly, it
screening process is beneficial to both shows that a company is doing their due
employer and employee; both sides want to

2. What Hiring Managers Should Do With
Background Criminal Checks
diligence in keeping their customers,
clients, and fellow employees safe.
What To Include In
Comprehensive Employment
Background Checks
Digging into the history of an applicant can
be as detailed as required by the position in
question. Records can be pulled for
verification of a Social Security number and
go as far as to look into an applicant's
complete work history. Drug testing,
medical records, and state license
verifications can be obtained along with a
person’s driving, military, criminal, and
credit records as well as alerts from the
National Sex Offender’s Registry.
Match the position with need to know
historical information. A professional civil
engineering position should include a check
on licensing while a pharmaceutical
position might mandate drug testing.
In the end, employment background checks
are some of the best tools for limiting a
company's legal liability while
simultaneously assisting in good hiring
decisions.
Kevin Connell is an author for AccuScreen, the industry
leader in employment pre screening checks and
employment background checks since 1994.