Why Traditional Background Checks Aren’t Working

Article summary and commentary by Trua on:

Do Organizations Rely on Background Checks Too Much?

Authored by Louis R. Mizell, Jr. and Michael A. Gips, published on https://www.shrm.org/.

See the full article at:
https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/talent-acquisition/pages/do-organizations-rely-on-background-checks-too-much.aspx

In today’s working world, there are many ways for people to get around traditional background checks, despite previously having a criminal record. One of the most common methods is using another’s name and Social Security number. On other occasions, prescreening background checks are disregarded or forgotten altogether due to cost, high turnover, or strained resources. This leads to a less secure workforce with less trustworthy individuals, leaving the door open to potential crimes and scandals.

Trua is a better way to vet potential employees effectively. While not all companies require background checks, the consequences of poor vetting or lack of vetting entirely can affect your everyday business. According to a report on SHRM.org, in 2017, the ridesharing service Lyft found itself in the center of controversy due to its employment of a driver who had previously served a prison term for aiding al Qaeda. SHRM states that while Uber and the city of Chicago’s background checks caught the conviction, Lyft’s did not. If Lyft had used Trua, this could have been avoided. Our four patented algorithms cross thousands of data points to vet candidates with the most up-to-date information available. Trua software combines facial recognition with government-issued IDs to cross-reference the validity of each applicant’s identity. We’re providing employers with a more detailed picture based on their hiring needs while simultaneously making it extremely difficult for candidates to cheat the system.

Another considerable area of concern when dealing with vetting individuals is working with third-party, independent, background-check companies. In many instances, screening companies themselves are responsible for wrongly cleared or incomplete cases. SHRM also states that, “In January 2020, a high-ranking New York City education official was federally charged with using a computer to facilitate a child sex crime. Although he was hired four years earlier, his background investigation had not yet been completed.” This happened after a background check was requested but languished in backlog, allowing the official to stay employed and progress within the education system. Trua cuts the unnecessary middleman out of the process, so you don’t have to wait to make your decisions. Our approach is not only cost-effective, it’s also efficient—speeding up your day-to-day onboarding so you can avoid backup and effectively vet your entire workforce.

Get a better scope of who you are hiring and save more time, money, and resources by using Trua.

The article mentioned above was published on SHRM.org. Read the full article.