Times are getting even harder, and the competition is getting tougher. More and more companies are turning to pre-employment criminal background checks to ensure they only hire employees who have never been involved in any questionable activities. And these days, social media has almost as much to say about whether you’re getting hired as anything else.
In recent years, embezzlement, scams, harassment, and other illegalities have embroiled many companies in lawsuits, out-of-court settlements, and countless grief for the owners and employees. They are working overtime to protect their employees, their customers, and reputations.
A background check can include criminal information such as misdemeanors, financial and credit data, as well as any other documentation that might be found in court proceedings, which are public record. It will mostly likely also include a run through your social media profiles, which isn’t illegal, but can be very damaging.
Many people ask if they should be worried about what will be dug up by the employer. The best way to find out is to do a check on yourself. This can be done for a very reasonable fee and could potentially save you a whole lot of grief. If there is any misinformation turned up, you have an opportunity to correct it before it ruins your career. True, social security numbers are used for employment screening, but many employers also utilize the less-than-stellar consumer services available to the general public.
Boston.com offers an article with a little more depth about the legalities involved, and should definitely be read.
Categories: Job Seekers and Employees
