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Is your business hiring additional staff this holiday season? If so, then one of the most important steps is to run background checks before offering any jobs.

Thousands of businesses need extra help in November, December and January. It might seem faster or easier to skip the screening process for temporary employees, but doing so could have a negative impact on your company and your bottom line.

When you hire people who will only be employed for a short time, you face the same uncertainties you encounter while hiring full-time employees. Screening your top candidates before extending any offers helps protect your business, staff and brand.

Employee Theft

It's unfortunate, but employee theft is an issue that many businesses encounter. This is especially true when the staff has direct access to office supplies, merchandise or cash. Running pre-employment background checks alleviates some of that risk.

Background checks can include an array of criminal searches. Use them to see if a candidate has a misdemeanor, felony or other offense. Backgrounds Online offers county, state, national and international criminal searches that inform you if your applicant was convicted of theft or related crimes.

There is no way to predict someone's future behavior, but background reports provide crucial details about a person's past to help you make educated hiring decisions.

Employee Fraud

There are several types of fraud, and they have varying degrees of severity. A background check confirms crucial facts to help you uncover fraudulent activities.

First, a background check substantiates an individual's identity with a Social Security Number Trace. This search verifies that your candidate is the person they claim to be. It is the most accurate way to properly identify every candidate during the screening process.

Job seekers sometimes commit minor acts of fraud when applying to positions for which they are not fully qualified. This can include exaggerating their work history or responsibilities, claiming to have diplomas or credentials they have not yet earned and similar scenarios. People who commit these infractions may be well-intentioned, but it is crucial for hiring managers to know that potential employees have the proper qualifications.

Serious Criminal Histories

Many people have minor criminal offenses that should not negatively impact their ability to land a job. However, it is important for business owners and managers to know if a candidate has a serious criminal record such as an assault, sexual offense or murder.

Backgrounds Online provides authoritative reports that only contain reportable information – meaning data that can legally be used to make hiring choices. Before you offer temporary employment, make sure you know if someone you're considering was convicted of a serious criminal offense.

If you don't screen seasonal employees, you could hire someone who is not properly qualified, or who might pose a risk to your business, employees and customers. As you go through your hiring process and narrow your list of candidates, run background checks on all the people you are considering. Rely on our comprehensive reports to help you make informed decisions for temporary and permanent employees.

We hope you have a successful and prosperous holiday season.