It’s Time to Check Your Background Checks

In an article for People Management, Alja Poler De Zwart and James McDevitt discuss the importance companies should place on regularly reviewing their background checks processes to ensure they are lawfully screening job candidates.

“Background checks are a common practice and form a critical part of every recruitment process. Organisations tend to conduct various background checks, the most standard being verification of past employment, education, professional licences, permits, certifications, references and even reviews of publicly available sanctions and watchlists. Criminal history checks are also often relied on, although are mostly limited to a certificate or letter confirming a lack of criminal record, issued by relevant EU member state authorities. Sometimes checks go further than that and can become quite intrusive, such as reviewing someone’s online activities and social media posts, or asking questions about their family, health and political affiliations.

“What many organisations do not realise is that there are myriad legal restrictions imposed on such processing activities, and what is allowed or required varies by country.”

Read the full article.