The Charlottte Observer reports “The killing
of a south Charlotte store manager - allegedly by a felon hired to work there -
highlights the risks companies take when they hire an employee with a criminal
record, or don't do a full background check on applicants.”
Employee background checks are a necessary tool in today’s
sometimes violent and certainly litigious society. If a rug installation
company was to hire an installer, who eventually rapes and kills a client, then
the rug installation company would be held libel for the employees actions.
A background check may solve this
problem in many situations. With a name and address a small business can check
out a new hire to see of that person has a criminal
background or has ever committed a violent crime.
In some states employment background checks are required by
law for teachers and other government employees. However the private sector
often gets a free pass, which in the end may cost them even more.
“Employers spend roughly $2 billion a year checking out employees, according to published
reports. a survey of The Employer Association's nearly 900 member businesses.
In contrast, only about 20 percent of firms with 20 or fewer employees said
they do.”
While an employee background check is one layer of protection it will not solve all your small businesses problems. But
it will most likely help reduce the chances of hiring someone who maybe prone
to crime.