Introduction

Did you know that 80% of turnovers are caused by bad hires? It’s not an exaggeration to say that your hiring decision can make or break your business. However, finding the right person for the job is not as easy as you think. It involves a lengthy process of verifying work history to assess a candidate’s cultural fit. One of the most crucial parts of every recruitment process is the background check for employment.

With the dire consequences of recruiting bad hires, companies must look beyond resumes to understand the profitability of hiring a candidate. Background checking services will give you the assurance you need in hiring, allowing you to mitigate risks, ensure workplace safety, and secure overall success for your organization.

In this article, Q2 HR Solutions will unravel the layers of background checks, including their types, benefits, process flow, and the importance of partnering with a reliable background check provider in the Philippines.

Definition and Types of Background Checks 

Background checks are screening tools used to verify the job candidate’s educational, personal, financial, employment, and criminal records to assess their suitability for the position. This process aims to validate the information presented by the applicant on their resume while also providing context to their experience.

Here are the different types of background checking services in the Philippines.

Criminal History Checks

Criminal history checks are one of the most critical components of a comprehensive background check, especially for employers looking to fill roles that involve handling sensitive information, proximity to vulnerable populations, and security positions.

Criminal history background checks for employment in the Philippines are often conducted through the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the organization responsible for handling the public database of cases tried in the country. The best way to ensure that your applicant has no criminal record is to require submission of NBI clearance. Securing this document will assure you of continued peace and safety in your workplace.   

Employment Verification

Employment verification aims to confirm the accuracy of a candidate’s work history claim. It also evaluates their experience to establish suitability for the offered role. This type of background checking service in the Philippines lets you uncover insights such as the applicant’s previous work experience, job stability, leadership experience, cooperation capabilities, and strengths.

Considering the fact that 70% of applicants lie or exaggerate about their employment history, employment verifications can act as a reliable indicator of a candidate’s ethical conduct and truthfulness.

Education Verification

Not a lot of companies put value in education verification, which puts them in danger of hiring an applicant who is falsifying their educational background. Many employers who run educational background checks confirm that they frequently catch candidates lying about their education and passing off mere attendance as having graduated from a course. Not only does this risk the applicant’s suitability for the job, but it also signifies that they are untrustworthy.

Education background checks for employment are also crucial in roles that require specialized education, certification, or training.

Reference Checks

Reference checks involve contacting individuals the candidate lists as professional or personal references. This process gives you more insights into the candidate’s ethics, professional competencies, and work attitude. Moreover, it also helps verify an applicant's claims about specific achievements and contributions.

Background check companies for employers often run reference checks through video calls, phone calls, surveys, or face-to-face meetings. While face-to-face is the most effective way to verify information about candidates, it can be time-consuming and costly. That is why at Q2 HR Solutions, we perform reference checks through video or phone calls to gather data accurately without going overboard with the budget.

Benefits of Comprehensive Background Checks

The advantage of conducting background checks for employment extends beyond merely confirming a candidate’s qualifications. These checks play an important role in safeguarding the workplace and ensuring the organization's success. Check out the other perks of running a background check below.

• Risk Mitigation

• Ensuring Workplace Safety

• Protecting Company Reputation

• Legal Compliance

• Avoiding Costly Bad Hires

How Background Checks Are Conducted

Several key steps are involved in conducting a comprehensive background check, each aimed at gathering and verifying relevant information. Here’s a guide on how we do background checks at Q2 HR Solutions:

Asking for Applicant Consent

Background checks are legal but limited by privacy laws in the Philippines. As an employer, you must get the candidate’s written consent before attempting to access or process their sensitive information. This should also come with the assurance that the data shared with you will remain confidential and shall not, by any means, be shared with other individuals or organizations unless discussed with the applicant.  

Gathering Necessary Information

As your background check provider in the Philippines, we will be responsible for collecting essential information about the applicant. This includes their full legal name, date of birth, educational background, and other credentials that could be used for the application. This initial step will ensure background checks are conducted on the right individual. Moreover, it will be the basis for further investigation.  

Initiating the Background Check Process

We will begin the process using the database, records, and direct inquiries to gather information about the candidate’s criminal history, employment, educational verification, and reference checks.  

Analyzing and Verifying Results

Once all the necessary documents and inquiries are made, we will conduct a thorough data analysis and verification. Our experts will reference the obtained information with the details provided by the candidate in the initial screening to ensure consistency. In case of discrepancies, we may also seek additional clarification from the candidate.

Choosing a Reliable Background Check Service

Selecting a reliable background check company for employers is crucial for obtaining accurate and timely information. Here are the key considerations that you should have when choosing a background check provider.

Accuracy of Information

The success of recruitment relies on the accuracy of the information gathered by the background check company for employers. Inaccuracies in data could lead to misguided choices. Thus, you must ensure that your background-checking partner has a good reputation and a robust procedure for gathering reliable information.

Turnaround Time

The duration for completing a background check can differ between companies. However, since most hiring processes require immediate response, finding a company that can conclude standard checks within a few days is best. Look for companies like Q2 HR Solutions who can meet your response time requirements while also maintaining efficiency in hiring.

Compliance With Regulations

The Employment and Labour Laws and Regulations of the Philippines prohibit any kind of discrimination during the hiring process. Adherence to this regulation, plus the Privacy Law, can be tricky. It makes pre-employment screening a particularly sensitive affair that could put you in trouble with the law if you are not careful or aware enough of the existing limitations.

Expert background checking providers in the Philippines know the limits of what you can and can’t ask during the hiring process. Our background checks at Q2 HR Solutions are performed by experts who are abreast of regulation changes and updates. Having these professionals as your partner can give you peace of mind.

Frequently Asked Questions About Comprehensive Background Checks

Can Employers See an Applicant’s Employment History in the Philippines?

Yes, employers can see the applicant’s employment history through their profiles on online platforms along with their provided resume or curriculum vitae. However, the employer can only see what the applicant provides in their resume and profile. They need to conduct a background check to verify the accuracy of this information.

Can You See Your Candidate’s SSS History?
No, employers are not allowed to access the individual records of employees or candidates. However, they can view the membership details, loan repayments, and contributions they remitted to their company's employees.

Is NBI Clearance a Background Check?

NBI clearance is a document used during background checks to verify that the applicant has no existing criminal records that might put the company at risk. The clearance itself is not a background check but simply a supporting document.

Conclusion

Comprehensive background checks have become an indispensable tool for employers seeking to make an informed decision in hiring. These checks go beyond validating the applicant’s resume, and they provide valuable insight into the employee's capabilities, cultural fit, qualifications, criminal history, and suitability for the role. By understanding the intricacies of background checks for employment, you can put better care into finding the right partner to perform the task.

Mitigate the risk of bad hires with the help of Q2 HR Solutions, one of the most trusted background screening partners for forward-facing companies in the Philippines. Contact us today and let us discuss how we can support you in your mission to build your dream team!