Why do employers carry out DBS checks as background checks?
Increasing numbers of employers and recruitment companies are opting to carry out DBS checks before hiring people to fill a vacancy. This is especially true for jobs that involve working with children or vulnerable adults, jobs that involve financial responsibility, and other professional roles.
The fact that so many employers are insisting on DBS checks these days suggests that there are some benefits in doing so. But what do employers gain from carrying out these background checks?
Better quality candidates
Background checks help to ensure that job applicants are productive, motivated, and honest. A DBS check gives the employer a chance to review the candidate’s past criminal record to see whether they are suitable for the role. Without a DBS check, if the candidate fails to declare a past criminal offence it can create problems for the employer later on down the line if something goes wrong.
Improved security and safety in the workplace
The last thing an employer wants or needs is to hire somebody who has a violent criminal past or has previously committed multiple thefts or embezzlement and has not been rehabilitated. A DBS check will reveal details of crimes committed by the individual, and will prevent a known violent offender from being hired, which helps to make the workplace safer for other staff. It’s important to remember, however, that not all offenders are unsafe and many are reformed characters, so this should be taken into account, particularly for offences that were committed many years ago.
Comply with regulations
Some employers are under a legal obligation to perform background checks, including DBS checks. For instance, any organisation that works directly in an unsupervised capacity with children is bound by UK law to safeguard the children in their care by making sure staff have taken a DBS check.
Reduce hiring mistakes
Around 30% of businesses that use DBS checks to verify the background of applicants found that they made less hiring mistakes, in other words hiring staff that were unsuitable for the job.
Hiring mistakes can be costly and damage the reputation of a business, so anything that can be done to avoid them is worthwhile.
There is also anecdotal evidence that DBS checks reduce staff absenteeism, probably due to the fact that higher calibre staff are placed in roles.
Get DBS checks carried out online
If you are an employer looking to introduce DBS checks to improve your hiring and background check processes, or you’re an individual who wants to get a basic DBS check to include with your CV, the simplest way to apply is online.
Applying for a DBS check online couldn’t be simpler. You fill in the online form, submit it along with ID documents and wait for the result, which is often returned within 24 hours.
