6 Myths of Background Screening (Debunked)

Background screening is an incredibly effective tool for weeding out potential bad hires and the risks that come along with them, so much so that upwards of 95% of employers are using background checks today to make informed hiring decisions, create a safe and productive work environment, and prevent costly lawsuits. 

However, despite its effectiveness, pre-employment screening is surrounded by fallacies and misconceptions that prevent companies and HR professionals from using this advantageous hiring tool and unlocking its true potential as a risk management practice. 

Keep reading to find out some of the most common myths associated with background screening, and find out why they’re simply not true when you work with a reputable organization. 

Myth #1: Background Screening Violates Privacy 

In this digital age—in which there is heightened scrutiny on how companies use personal data and protect people’s privacy—some employers are tentative to use background checks during the hiring process for fear of violating an applicant’s privacy and taking a hit to their brand reputation. 

However, Reputable background check services are regulated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), making it impossible for employers to violate a candidate’s privacy during the background screening process. The FCRA limits background checks to job-related information and legally requires that employers obtain an applicant’s consent before conducting the screening. 

Myth #2: Background Screening Leads to Discrimination 

Due to the inclusion of criminal history, some employers worry that background screening perpetuates discrimination. However, background checks bring more objectivity and job-related criteria to candidate evaluation, ensuring that all candidates are evaluated fairly and equally under the same rubric in a practice known as evidence-based hiring. 

Background screening helps employers make decisions based on qualifications, skills, and experience rather than irrelevant factors such as race, gender, or how they present in an interview. 

Myth #3: Background Screening is Inaccurate 

Some employers worry that background screening is prone to inaccuracies, potentially harming innocent job seekers and putting the business at risk. But reliable companies, like S2Verify, employ advanced technologies and comprehensive verification processes to minimize errors. 

They cross-check information from multiple sources, ensuring the highest level of accuracy possible. They also allow candidates to “double-check their work” by allowing them to dispute any inaccuracies found during the screening process. 

Myth #4: Background Screening Slows Down the Hiring Process 

A recent study by leading recruiting platform Top Echelon reports that 40% of candidates reject offers because another company made an offer faster. That means designing an efficient and easy hiring process is key for recruiting and hiring top talent. 

Some employers think that background screening causes unnecessary delays in the hiring process, but professional screening services leverage their connections and knowledge to provide efficient screening services that provide results within a few business days. 

Most employee background check services get results in 48 hours to five business days, and S2Verify provides faster-than-average 12-24 hour delivery times, a small price to pay for the added assurance of selecting qualified, trustworthy, and responsible candidates who align with the company’s values and goals. 

Myth #5: Background Screening Is Only for Large Companies 

A common misconception: pre-employment background screening is exclusively for large corporations (that can afford it). However, old or new, big or small, remote or in-person, all kinds of employers conduct background checks when bringing on new talent. 

That’s because business risk does not discriminate, and one of the best ways to limit risk is by making the right hire. For small and medium-sized businesses, hiring decisions can significantly impact their success, making it all the more imperative to identify potential risks early in the hiring process. 

Thankfully, reputable background check services offer affordable packages for small businesses so they can capitalize on this risk management exercise. 

Myth #6: All Background Check Companies Provide the Same Reports 

All background checks are not created equal––though it’s a common misconception that they are. As a result, many employers seek out the cheapest background check company to do their screening for them rather than the one with the most value. 

The best background check companies, however, will offer multiple types of screenings to provide a more detailed report, customizable pricing packages so you only pay for what you need, easy-to-use services (supported by best-in-class customer support) to speed up hiring cycles, accurate results, and faster-than-average turnaround times.

 If a background check company does not offer all of the above, it’s probably not worth the cost. 

For more insights into how background screening helps employers make informed hiring decisions and reduce the risks associated with making a bad hire, click here.