We Understand The Specific Needs Of The Staffing Industry
Staffing firms face special challenges when it comes to background screening. Many staffing firms have added pressure of time constraints when it comes to placing candidates. Placing the right candidate immediately is usually the norm in the staffing industry. Many staffing firms don’t have the luxury of time to wait for criminal records research, employment and education verifications along with drug screening results. Staffing professionals face the daily fact that if a candidate is not placed immediately; the individual will go down the street seeking other employment. Today’s HR Professionals are outsourcing temporary and permanent recruitment decisions with staffing firms at an all-time high.
Many staffing professionals live under the misconception that they are not liable for the actions of candidates that they place with their clients. Negligent hiring and vicarious liability are great threats to any staffing firm. Normally, staffing firms only conduct background screening upon the requirements of each of their respective clients. Many firms do not conduct screening due to cost and time constraints placed upon them. Under current due diligence legislation, a staffing firm can be held accountable or liable for the actions of the individuals they place. A staffing firm’s worst nightmare may be realized if a candidate whom they have placed has caused harm to a fellow employee or customer. If it is proven that the staffing firm should have known or could have known about any past violent acts of the candidate they placed under simple or common means, the staffing firm will likely be sued. The staffing firm would have very limited legal defense when legal council for the injured party argues that if the staffing firm had been willing to spend just a few dollars to know who they were hiring, they may have avoided the criminal act entirely.
It is a known fact that approximately 10% of job applicants have some type of criminal past. It is only a matter of time until a firm is put into a liability situation.
Staffing firms conducting background checks will help with the following:
- Reduce the threat of negligent hiring litigation lawsuits
- Discourage dishonest applicants from even applying
- Protect their clients against workplace violence
- Reduce costs of training and turnover
- Decrease the chances of placing unqualified candidates
- Reduce the cost of employee theft and embezzlement
- Help place credible candidates
- Provide a positive and professional image to their clients