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Workplace violence and theft is a growing threat to today’s businesses. Violence costs companies nationwide over $30 billion annually. The median cost of a single theft at work is well over $100,000.
As if these costs were not bad enough, a concept called the negligent hiring theory is making these crimes even more threatening. According to this theory, your company is liable for its employees’ actions. If an employee harms a customer or another employee, your company may be sued.
However, taking reasonable steps to ensure workplace safety can help protect your company from these legal problems. One way to ensure safety is to implement background checks when hiring employees.
An effective background check geared at wiping out violence and theft may include a number of elements:
These items can expose some of the warning signs of a violent employee: withdrawal, disrespect of authority, a spotty work history, poor performance, a history of substance abuse, and/or violence toward others.
Also the check items, when used properly, go beyond safety. They work to keep your hiring costs and turnover down and protect your company’s reputation.
Avoid background check backfire. There are laws protecting the privacy of people. Plus, if used improperly, background checks can be ammunition in a discriminatory lawsuit against your company. Therefore, these checks must be done carefully.
To avoid background check problems: