Many employers understand the basics-if you're looking to hire, ask the candidate to complete an application, or provide a resume, check their references, and contact their past employers. These are the ABC's of hiring. Successful hiring strategies, however, include a more comprehensive process-including pre-employment investigations, which not only save your company money, but also the time and embarrassment of hiring the wrong candidate.

One local business owner was planning to hire a woman as an Office Manager. Included in her roles and responsibilities would be direct access and accountability for incoming cash and deposits. Her resume sparkled. The business owner, after conducting only the ABC's of hiring committed to bringing her on board. When we started digging into her background, however, her background failed to shine as her resume did. With the discovery of 11 outstanding warrants for fraud in another state, we were able to help our client avoid short-term financial disaster.

A good pre-employment investigation can save your company thousands, and safeguard you from liabilities. Comprehensive pre-employment investigations aren't just... Read More

 

Many employers conduct the all-familiar pre-employment background investigation. Unfortunately, while thorough in the beginning, employers often become too complacent once the candidate has obtained employment with the company. Companies often fail to look into what employees do after the hiring process.

In a recent case study, an employer felt that he should conduct a background investigation on new employees. Like many of his peers, however, he forgot about the benefits of post-employment investigations. Think about it! When a new employee is hired, they don't know anything about your business or the vulnerabilities that exist. While they may be stellar employees initially, once they become relaxed in their employment greed and temptation may perpetuate fraud and theft. Unless checked on, companies may never know what is going on. In the case study we were tasked to investigate, the misappropriation, a $140,000 loss, which occurred after the employee had been working for the company for nearly 11 years. Though the theft was discovered, and the lesson learned, it was a little too late.

Post-employment investigations don't just aid in the discovery of theft, a thorough investigation can also help you uncover if an employee is involved in child pornography, drugs, ethics violations, and abuse of authority among other things. An employee may have a clean record and clear pre-employment investigation, but can get involved in questionable activity after coming to work at your company. So how would you know if they've become involved?

While trusting your employees is valuable, trusting an employee to the point of allowing them to harm your business and reputation is a different story. If an employee is involved in ...Read more