Carrying out a legally valid employment background check in the UK is a requirement for employers before hiring staff. These checks may include criminal records, credit checks, and work references. A criminal background check is performed to determine if the applicant has ever been arrested for a crime and provides all the relevant information, such as the exact crime for which a person is being arrested, the dates of the arrest, the final verdict, and the sentence that was ordered. Usually, the goal is to find a candidate with no criminal record, but if one exists, the company must decide whether to approve it or not.
Some companies require that you have no criminal record or, at least, have not made recent arrests. Employers can check your criminal record regardless of the position you are applying for. This is called Disclosure and Prohibition Service (DBS) verification. It's a comprehensive background check used by employers, primarily to evaluate current and potential employees.
It shows detailed information about a person's criminal record, meaning carrying out a background check on employees in the UK helps employers validate the investments they make in favor of talent. Some of the industries that are most likely to background check candidates in the UK are restricted airlines, the Financial Services Authority (FSA), and the security and defense industries. A background check is performed to validate some of the information in the applicant's resume, such as name, work history, educational achievements, and certifications. Background checks are normally used to verify the candidate's resume and employment application information.
Below are some of the types of background checks involved in a UK job offer for an employee, their process, and the benefits an employee has if their data is misused against them.
Basic Criminal Background Check
Also known as Basic Disclosure and Prohibition Service (DBS), this type of criminal background check is designed to reveal a person's unexecuted conditional convictions or reprimands. It's important to determine exactly what type of information you want to verify or discover about your candidates, so you know what types of background checks you should request. While it seems that competent authorities fully expose a candidate's personal and professional background, pre-employment background checks in the UK have essentially important features that benefit employers.Standard DBS Verification
This type of background check takes center stage when it comes to analyzing a person's criminal record in depth, surpassing basic DBS checks. A criminal background check can let you know if the candidate has a criminal record, while a credit check can determine if the applicant has financial problems that could affect their employment.A background check can avoid these problems by ensuring that the candidate's resume and job description information are accurate and up to date.
Background Checks on Independent Contractors
Yes, it is legal and common practice to carry out background checks on Independent Contractors in the UK, although these selection processes are usually not as extensive as those followed by people classified as employees.Reference Check vs Background Check
The main difference between a reference check and a background check is their purpose and type of information obtained. However, employers will need to perform a background check on candidates who meet BS7858 standard. In conclusion, it is essential for employers in the UK to carry out comprehensive background checks on potential employees before hiring them. This helps them make sure they are hiring trustworthy people who will be an asset to their organization.It also helps protect employers from any potential legal issues that may arise from hiring someone with an undisclosed criminal record or financial problems.
