How Remote Work is adding a Whole New Perspective to Background Checks?

How Remote Work is adding a Whole New Perspective to Background Checks?

November 29, 2022
11:52 am
Background checks, background verification, Employee moonlighting, Employee onboarding, verification

Right after the pandemic, the entire employee onboarding process changed 360 degrees. Hiring remote employees has significantly shifted from screening to a background check. According to an EY Forensic and Integrity Services report, digital changes are becoming a significant part of employee background checks. In a study of more than 115 top HR executives from companies in India and worldwide, 68% said it was hard to do background checks when the workplace was on lockdown. In contrast, just 32% used technological tools as an alternative to conducting checks.

Suppose an employee makes a mistake because you didn’t do enough screening; you, as the employer, will be held responsible. You may limit access to information needed for background checks in some places. As a hiring team member, you need to ensure that every possible employee goes through a background check. This check will help you determine whether someone has lied about their work or school experience and whether they have a criminal record. This procedure is just as crucial for remote workers as for those who work in person.

Background checks are necessary for remote workers, but they also present challenges. Here is how –

Competency

With the hiring process shifting online, candidates now find it simpler to cheat on online tests. Fake diplomas and experience certificates are increasingly more frequently used, but this is nothing new.

In an EY Forensic & Integrity Services survey, 96% of respondents said that up to 10% of background checks on current or potential employees failed. You can stop this trend by using technology to digitize records and test candidates ahead of time. So, it’s essential to use the modern way to check someone’s background. Using the right tools makes sure there are no fake documents.

Encouraging Stealing of Company Data

With remote hiring and working, data security is also in danger. Part of the job is giving employees access to company data from home using their networking equipment. When an employee accesses data remotely rather than simply in the office, there are many additional ways for the organization’s security and systems to get compromised. Businesses also need to think about a worker’s home, where unauthorized people could try to log in or even steal important company information. If the employee’s background is properly checked, it’s easier to ensure your company’s data is safe.

Moonlighting

In recent times, there have been many cases of employees moonlighting. Many top companies have fired employees for continuing to moonlight. The present controversy around moonlighting is not without merit. In remote workplaces, there have been times when workers missed online meetings because of technical problems or personal issues. It made the bosses wonder if they had another job. Through a PF transaction, careful background checks on potential recruits showed they were working two jobs simultaneously.

Also, if many people apply for remote jobs simultaneously, it raises questions about their skills and commitment. In the new normal, background checks must also deal with the situation when a candidate’s resume is quiet about these brief assignments.

Things you should know about background checks for remote workers

Running background checks on remote employees presents quite a challenge! Typically, you would sit across from a new employee’s desk and ask them to sign a waiver allowing you to run their background check. But if that person works from home, problems arise quickly, like “How do I know if the candidate is signing the waiver?” How can I verify that the candidate I’m recruiting is the real thing? Some of the concerns are –

Risks in Hiring Remote Workers

As mentioned above, there are certain risks involved with remote workers when there are no background checks. The worker may misuse the company data while sitting in a remote area. Employees that work remotely have much greater access to your system than those who can only access it when in the office. It would help if you also considered visitors who might be there because they might try to log in or even listen in on private corporate or client information.

Is there any need to redo the Background Check when the employee has been absent for a long

Employees who are gone for more than a month must undergo the same process as new hires. Often, background checks can catch employees doing something wrong and lower risk even in normal situations. Furthermore, if you had the necessary approval when you first employed the individual, that waiver might still be valid if you do another criminal background check. To be safe, review any potential time restrictions in the waiver once more.

Points to consider when doing background checks of remote employees -

Consider State Laws regarding Background Checks

Background checks are essential for hiring remote workers because they help the hiring team ensure they are working with the right people. But you need to know about certain laws, so you don’t get in trouble with the law in the future.

Considering the cost of Bad Hiring

Poor recruitment will always affect an employer’s reputation, whether they are working in the office or remotely. If a remote worker’s background is checked, it could save the business money in onboarding and training costs, turnover costs, and the costs that could come from hiring without being careful. Ensuring all workers have been thoroughly vetted, no matter where they are located, helps protect the investment a business makes when adding a new team member.

Remember, it's your responsibility completely

As an employer, it is your responsibility to make sure they are hiring someone who does not pose a threat to the corporation and keeps those team members engaged, regardless of whether they are local employees or remote workers. An employee may file a negligent hiring lawsuit if another employee causes them harm, and they can demonstrate that their employer did not adequately screen that individual. It also applies to employees who work remotely. If everyone isn’t given a thorough background check, the employee who filed the complaint may be able to get money from the court.

Expanding Job Qualifications

When hiring remote workers and doing a background check, you should look for more than just the typical job requirements. To locate the best candidate for the post, fine-tune the position’s ideal qualifications. For example, if you’re hiring someone for an online teaching job, do they have the skills or qualifications to make training materials just for an online audience? The job posting should consider the vast differences between an online and classroom environment.

Also, think beyond the box to learn more about the candidates. Do they, for instance, engage in activities or obligations outside of the workplace that reflects a self-starter personality type? Working remotely necessitates a higher degree of initiative and self-discipline.

How can MIMOIQ help with the background checks of remote workers?

Hiring a remote worker is quite challenging, especially when doing a background check. This is when you need a professional company that can undertake the job. MIMOIQ does the check professionally.

MIMOIQ, using modern tools and an experienced team, can look up anything, including verification checks, background checks, and others. Following every report from a background check, you get real-time updates.

The team integrates different tools with your business during the background check process to ensure you get the correct result. Our model for background checks gives better, faster results and keeps a direct line of communication open.

Summing it up

Every organization has been caught off guard by remote work. Because of changes in technology and workflow, the traditional office environment and business have changed a lot. Proper background checks on prospective employees can help the company run smoothly.