"Hit Ratio" report reveals importance of employment background screening
By Manufacturing Business Technology Staff -- Manufacturing Business Technology, 4/24/2008 10:10:00 PM
Employment screening criminal record convictions continue their upward trend from 8.5 percent in 2005 to 9.1 percent in 2006 and 9.5 percent in 2007, according to the annual Hit Ratio Report, released by the Background Screening division of risk consulting firm Kroll.
Says Michael Rosen, president of Kroll's Background Screening division, “Background screening is as important as ever, as evidenced by the trifecta effect of 1) the U.S. job market becoming more competitive for positions; 2) a need to fill positions as quickly as possible; and 3) an increasing trend in criminal hit ratios.”
Companies are looking to overseas job markets, which further complicates pre-employment screening. “It is now common for a job applicant to have been raised in Japan, educated in the U.K., and now seeking employment in the U.S.,” says Rosen.
As a result, employers are carefully vetting candidates for entry level, senior management, and positions in between,” Rosen adds. “Employers are recognizing that screening job candidates at all levels is more complex and vital to the well-being of the organization."
Industry trends originally revealed in the 2006 Hit Ratio Report continue to gain ground:
• Food services criminal red flags grew from 12.1 percent to 13.4 percent.
• Manufacturing criminal red flags grew from 11.6 percent in 2006 to 12.6 percent in 2007.
• Employers are conducting more thorough, multi-jurisdictional background checks on the individuals they hire.
• Employers are screening a greater population of their staff, as well as temporary employees, vendors, and consultants.
Says Rosen, “With data security and identity theft top of mind these days, it is especially important to conduct thorough background checks on employees with access to sensitive personal data.”
Access the Hit Ratio Report
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