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Employment Background Checks

Criminal Background Checks

by James Lyons

Criminal background checks are manual or database searches of state and/or local government files to ascertain if the person applying for a job has a criminal record. You may not realize it, but most companies you apply with perform criminal background checks. Your current employer probably performed a criminal background check on you. Can you blame them?

I tend to lean towards the rights of employees, but having worked in human resources for a few years as a consultant, I understand the value of these different checks. A criminal background check is an essential part of the hiring process. If a company deals in valuable products like jewelry or electronic equipment, they need to make sure their employees can be trusted. I don't think a criminal record should completely preclude someone from getting a job, but it should play a role in the selection process.

Criminal Background Checks Will Never Go Away

Criminal background checks are here to stay. Companies have to take some measures to protect themselves. Employee theft and fraud cost U.S. companies billions of dollars every year. It's not just the theft that damages companies, it's the spillover effect of theft. I worked with a company that lost a million dollar account because one of their employees stole 16 camcorders. The client lost trust for my employer.

Criminal background checks are going to keep happening. If you have a criminal record, it's best to be up front about it from the beginning. Don't try and hide it. The company will find out and concealing it leaves things open to interpretation.

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