Are you considering hiring an individual for a position of trust? It may mean that you need an up-to-date Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC) as part of the application process.
Conducting criminal background checks for employment for new staff is commonplace in Australia. A pre-employment background check is a mandatory requirement for many industries with organisations conducting these as part of their risk management process.
Why Should I Conduct a Background Check on New Employees?
There are many benefits to conducting a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC) or background check on your prospective staff.
Benefits such as:
- Creating a safe environment at your workplace;
- Safeguarding your business from employment-related risks; and,
- Protecting your most valuable assets such as your staff, property and the reputation of your organisation.
What Do I Need to Consider Before I Conduct a Background Check on a New Employee?
Before you decide to conduct a NCCHC or background check on an individual applying for a specific position, you should consider the following:
Develop a Criminal History Background Check Policy
Do you have a well-documented criminal history checking policy at your organisation? Before you conduct an NCCHC background check on a new employee, you should strongly consider creating or revising an existing check policy. By doing so, you create transparency between your organisation and your potential candidate, about the purpose of conducting the check and cover yourself against any potential misunderstandings.
Be Clear About Requiring a Background Check from the Start
There’s nothing worse than catching your candidate by surprise. To avoid any frustration, clearly stipulate the need for a pre-employment background check on your job advertisement. You may also choose to disclose that having a criminal history doesn’t exclude people from applying. Stating this upfront allows for a more transparent discussion in the early stages of the recruitment process. Conducting an NCCHC or background check allows you to safeguard your organisation against employment related risks.
Reiterate the Requirement for a Background Check
Once a candidate progresses to the next stage of the recruitment process, take this time to reiterate that the role requires the applicant to consent to, and undergo an NCCHC criminal history background check. Clearly outline the risks associated with the position and that the criminal history check will be assessed against these.
Proceed with Conducting Background Checks
Reduce your recruitment costs by only screening the candidate that you’re seriously considering for a position. In this way, you can reduce your overhead expenses whilst minimising the risk of disclosing confidential information unnecessarily.
