InstituteRecruiting and hiringNegligent Hiring / RetentionRecruiting and hiringUSAHuman ResourcesEnglishAnalysisFocus AreaTalent Management & RecruitingIn Depth (Level 3)
Negligent hiring/Retention
['Recruiting and hiring']

- Employers may be liable for actions employees take if they were negligent in hiring them.
Employers may be liable for actions employees take at work if it can be shown that the employers were negligent in hiring or retaining them. Employers should:
- Take threats and harassment that occur within the workplace seriously, and
- Adequately respond to employees’ complaints and warnings about potentially dangerous employees.
Background checks may:
- Reduce the likelihood of hiring violent employees,
- Reduce the company’s exposure, and
- Help demonstrate that the employer did not act negligently if the check provided no reason for concern.