When it comes to hiring employees in the UK, employers must carry out law-compliant criminal background checks and other types of background checks. This guide will help employers understand what is involved in the process. The background check may include the applicant's educational or employment history, criminal record, financial and credit history, as well as proof of identity and right to work. The Disclosure and Prohibition Service (DBS) is responsible for verifying criminal records, but employers must check if they are eligible to ask about convictions handed down.
The level of research required will depend on the position being filled. For example, if you're hiring someone at the executive level, you'll need to perform more controls than for someone at the junior or beginner level. Pre-employment evaluation involves a right to work check, criminal background check, work history check, and professional references. In cases where a candidate has not worked, an educational reference can be used.
In other sectors, other checks are carried out, such as a credit check in the financial sector or a DVLA check in the transportation industry. You must verify that job applicants can work in the UK before hiring them. Rippling is a comprehensive solution that helps employers effectively track their employees' background checks and ensure legal compliance. Background checks can reveal vital information that will influence an employer's decision to hire you. It is your responsibility as an employer to keep up with legal requirements and to establish a system for managing background checks for your employees.
Depending on the checks carried out, the background investigation can reveal if a potential new recruit is honest and trustworthy and if they can perform the duties of the position. In addition to the controls listed above, it is essential to ensure that the employee has the right to work in the UK. If a background check fails several times and the employer feels that you are hiding important information, they can remove you from the hiring process. For example, some background checks can be processed instantly, such as the right to work, UK credit check, DVLA check, and international sanctions. Unless you are an employer, you are limited to the background checks you can perform on an individual. It's up to the employer whether they decide to hire you based on the information they found during a background check. While you can do a background check yourself, UK laws are complicated and require a significant time investment. To ensure compliance with UK laws and regulations when it comes to background checks for potential employees, employers should consider using a comprehensive solution like Rippling.
This platform helps employers track their employees' background checks and ensure legal compliance. By using Rippling or another comprehensive solution for employee background checks, employers can be sure that they are following all applicable laws and regulations when it comes to hiring new employees. This will help protect both employers and potential employees from any legal issues that may arise from improper background checks.
