Employee screenings during the pre-employment process is a largely vital procedure that must not be taken for granted by employers and hiring managers. There have been increasing incidents of identity thefts and fraudulent résumés wherever we are which makes organizations stringent about the hiring process and tougher on individuals wishing to land a job. On the other hand, organizations also wish to regularly take measures to ensure that the company is safe and stable with their current employees. Therefore, even employee with full-time, part-time, and contract jobs can be subjected to background checks. People waitlisted to be promoted can also be checked to ensure that he is of sound mind and body for a particular high level position. Having said this, a carefully drawn-out background check policy should work as a guideline for companies on how to correctly conduct background checks.

When creating the policy, employers must completely make a list first on the items that they wish to see or know about an individual’s profile. This encompasses a wide scope. While many employers are keen on looking at the credentials, experiences, and skills of an individual that will prove to be beneficial in the success of their organizations, they would also like to know whether or not they are accepting an offensive person. So, criminal records and related documentations can also be included in the policy of hiring applicants. It is also a general rule to specify which department will handle the background screening. An internal screening should be managed by a department or a staff in the organization and this must be stated in the policy. The same thing is required if an outside screening agency is chosen to conduct the checks for the company.

Specific forms will need to be involved when screening applicants. They must be declared as well in the policy. General guidelines in the execution of the background screening measures must be correctly acknowledged in the policy.  Most of all, the policy must adhere to federal and state laws governing background checks.