Global Screening
Can Your Domestic Screening Program Handle It?
Competing in today’s global business economy can be both rewarding and challenging. When it comes to talent acquisition, hiring from overseas is healthy for diversity, and for some industries, a necessity for keeping up with industry trends and rival competition. For most hiring managers, screening potential new-hires outside of the United States or even those that have previously lived and worked abroad can be difficult, due to lack of knowledge or even resources to conduct proper screening. Employers need to understand that background screening in some countries is not yet fully accepted, based on current customs or lack of screening regulations, and for some countries, not even a standard business practice. Employers can follow basic guidelines to help navigate across these uncharted waters.
For U.S. employers, the cost of international background checks seems considerably higher than domestic screening; however, compared with the total cost to on-board a new employee, or replace an employee who did not have the proper credentials, the cost is insignificant. If your candidate has spent the better part of their life or professional career abroad, conducting an international background check makes good business sense, especially when specific credentials, specific skill sets or education levels need to be verified. EBI has proven global screening expertise. With EBI, employers can control costs, decrease liability, provide a safer workplace and ensure the right candidate is hired for the job.
Negligent hiring and retention, work-place violence, and terrorism are growing global concerns. Criminal records searches can help mitigate those risks, however, the ability to obtain criminal information or public records in certain countries can be a hit or miss experience. Many countries around the world do not practice background screening as a primary function of the hiring process, and may consider this type of information private and unattainable. Criminal information can be stored on a local, regional or country basis and housed at a local police department, a government agency or even a private database depending on the country. Data integrity and accuracy is also an issue in many countries across the globe. Always inquire as to the source of the data, especially in many third world countries where processes and infrastructure are limited and corruption is pervasive. It is important that you develop a full understanding of what types of criminal records are received from each country, and ask how they compare to felony and misdemeanor records here in the United States. It is also important that you insure that they were obtained according to the legal requirements of the country.
Before you conduct a criminal check overseas, call EBI. EBI can advise you on what information is available, if it’s legally accessible, and provide the proper forms to manage the process.
Always obtain a candidate’s written consent and provide a full disclosure of the nature and scope of your investigation, no matter what country you’re screening in. There may be additional information required from your candidate to conduct a thorough search: passport number or other identification information; specific address; mother’s maiden name; or other family. The requirements vary depending on the country and information being searched.
Always follow the FCRA when hiring someone to work in the United States, and consider other country specific laws and guidelines for obtaining screening information abroad. Country-specific privacy laws, data security regulations and third party accessibility may come into play as well. EBI will only conduct international background checks where we can obtain information in a legal and ethical manner. EBI has the expertise to know what is available and where.
Barriers such as language, time and dateline can be some of the hardest obstacles to overcome when conducting global screening. If you are considering verifying information such as international past employment, education and other such information in-house, you may find yourself working late hours or along-side a translator to obtain and decipher information on your candidate. Outsourcing all of your global screening needs to EBI is an easy, cost-effective solution. EBI provides resources both internally and on the ground in the country of interest to manage the screening process from start to finish no matter the time zone or language
No matter where your background screening needs lie, the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, the Middle East or virtually anywhere across the world, EBI is your One Global Solution servicing over 200 countries and territories worldwide.
Before conducting international screening, EBI will work with you to ensure a complete understanding of the process. EBI considers the guidelines and considerations in the various countries, and what information is available before conducting any international screening. EBI is a proud member of Concerned Consumer Reporting Agencies (CRAs) who follow strict protocols when handling sensitive consumer information. EBI is your preferred Global Solution Partner, providing a full range of legally compliant services around the world, including employment, contractor and vendor screening, and enhanced due diligence services.
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All information contained herein is provided by Employment Background Investigations solely for the convenience of its clients. EBI is not providing legal advice or counsel and nothing provided on this document should be deemed as legal guidance or advice. Readers should consult with their own legal counsel to determine their legal responsibilities or if they have questions on any information provided by EBI.