Pre employment screening is a necessary hiring practice for most employers looking to avoid lawsuits and hiring mistakes. Pre screening employment also promotes a safe and profitable workplace by significantly reducing the risk of a bad hire.

Research shows that at least 30 per cent of applicants to job lie about some detail in their resume. While most times the lies are usually embellishments of educational and work related accomplishments, some times the lies are more serious and could include falsification of educational background.

Employers typically engage pre employment screening to discourage applicants with something to hide.  Many times individuals with criminal backgrounds or falsified credentials will not apply to a job if they suspect that pre employment screening will be done.

Pre employment screening also demonstrates due diligence. It shows that employers have taken all necessary steps to eliminate uncertainty in the hiring process. Further pre employment screening also encourages honesty among candidates during the interview stage.

Most employers perform background checks as part of the pre employment screening process. This involves checking on the individual’s background including educational accomplishments, credit history and criminal record history. Some employers also insist on drug testing and psychometric testing as part of their pre employment screening. Pre employment screening test includes delving into an individual’s credit records, academic records, personal references, driving records, criminal records and workers compensation details.

All employers looking to conduct a pre employment screening have to request The Fair Credit Reporting Act for access to background information. The FCRA is not just restricted to credit reports but also includes all “consumer reports."

Pre employment screening does not guarantee that every bad applicant will be discovered. However, it does reduce the chances of an employer getting stuck with a bad employee. Investigating the background of a potential hire can help minimize the risk of negligent-hiring lawsuits.

These day pre employment screening can be outsourced to agencies that exclusively deal with this issue. Usually these agencies take around 5 days to provide a comprehensive report on the individual.