Why Employers Should Re-Screen Employees Periodically

In today’s rapidly changing business landscape, ensuring the integrity and security of your workforce is paramount. While pre-employment screening is a crucial step in the hiring process, it’s equally important to consider periodic re-screening of your existing employees. This proactive approach offers numerous benefits for your organization, including enhancing workplace safety, mitigating risks, and maintaining a positive company culture.

The Importance of Re-Screening

• Identifying Potential Risks: Life circumstances can change unexpectedly. Individuals may encounter legal issues, financial difficulties, or other challenges that could impact their job performance or pose a threat to your business. Re-screening helps identify these potential risks early on, allowing you to take appropriate action.
• Maintaining a Safe Workplace: Certain industries, such as healthcare, finance, and education, have strict regulations regarding employee background checks. By re-screening employees, you can ensure compliance with industry standards and maintain a safe environment for your staff and clients.
• Protecting Your Reputation: A single employee’s misconduct can tarnish your company’s reputation. Re-screening helps minimize the likelihood of such incidents by identifying potential red flags and taking preventive measures.
• Enhancing Employee Trust: Periodic re-screening demonstrates your commitment to maintaining a trustworthy and ethical workplace. It can boost employee morale and foster a positive company culture.

What to Re-Screen For

The specific types of re-screening you conduct will depend on your industry, company policies, and the nature of your employees’ roles. However, some common areas to consider include:

• Criminal Background Checks: Regularly updating criminal background checks can help identify any new arrests or convictions that may impact your business.
• Credit Checks: For positions that involve handling sensitive financial information, credit checks can be valuable in assessing an employee’s financial stability and potential for fraud.
• Drug Testing: Depending on your industry and company policy, periodic drug tests can help ensure a drug-free workplace and enhance productivity.
• Professional Licenses and Certifications: If your employees require specific licenses or certifications, re-screening can verify that they remain current and compliant with industry regulations.
• Social Media Monitoring: While social media monitoring can be a sensitive issue, it may be appropriate in certain cases to assess an employee’s online behavior for potential risks to your company’s reputation.

Best Practices for Re-Screening

To ensure a fair and effective re-screening process, consider the following best practices:

• Develop a Clear Policy: Establish a written policy outlining your re-screening procedures, including the frequency, types of checks, and the reasons for re- Criminal history checks for entertainment industry .
• Communicate Openly: Clearly communicate your re-screening policy to your employees, explaining the reasons behind it and addressing any concerns they may have.
• Obtain Consent: Obtain written consent from your employees before conducting any re-screening, and ensure that you comply with all relevant privacy laws and regulations.
• Use a Reputable Screening Provider: Partner with a reputable background screening company that can provide accurate and reliable information.
• Review and Update Your Policy Regularly: As your business evolves, review and update your re-screening policy to ensure it remains relevant and effective.

By implementing a periodic re-screening program, you can proactively protect your business, maintain a safe and ethical workplace, and build a stronger, more resilient organization.