Hiring the right employee is critical for the long-term success of any company. A poor hiring decision in the UK can cost a company three to four times the annual salary of the employee. This means that a bad hire for a £42,000 position could cost a business upwards of £132,000 when considering all associated costs like training, loss of productivity, and potential staff turnover.
The key to finding the best candidate lies in a well-structured candidate screening process. HR teams need to assess CVs, verify credentials, and assess cultural fit to avoid hiring mistakes.
This guide will walk you through a comprehensive screening checklist, covering mandatory checks, optional but highly recommended verifications, and additional screenings that help HR professionals make informed hiring decisions.
Candidate Experience Screening Checklist for HR
The following Candidate Experience Checklist not only streamlines hiring but also protects businesses from legal and financial risks:
Mandatory Pre-Employment Checks
Right-to-Work Checks
Right-to-work checks are a fundamental requirement before hiring a candidate in the UK. Ensuring that a potential hire has the legal right to work is not just a formality but a legal obligation with significant penalties for non-compliance.
Employers must verify the applicant’s legal status by checking documents such as passports or biometric residence permits. This step is crucial across all industries to ensure compliance with UK employment laws and avoid any legal consequences.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Checks
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks play a critical role in hiring for positions involving vulnerable individuals. While not mandatory for every role, they are essential in sectors such as healthcare, education, and social work. There are three levels of DBS checks available online: Basic, Standard, and Enhanced.
- Basic DBS checks reveal any unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, or warnings on a candidate’s record.
- Standard DBS checks disclose both spent and unspent convictions, as well as any cautions or warnings, and are commonly used for specialised roles.
- Enhanced DBS checks provide the most comprehensive information, including any additional notes from police records that may be relevant to the job. For roles involving regulated activities, Enhanced DBS checks may also include a search of one or both of the barred lists.
Once completed, the DBS check results are compiled into a certificate that helps employers make informed hiring decisions.
Qualification Verification
Qualification checks are essential for regulated industries where specific credentials are a legal requirement. Employers must verify the authenticity of a candidate’s academic and professional qualifications to ensure they have the necessary skills for the role. These checks can be conducted manually by contacting the awarding body or through third-party screening services. Industries such as healthcare, engineering, and finance rely on qualification checks to ensure their workforce meets regulatory and professional standards.
Driver Licence Checks
Driver licence checks are vital for roles that involve driving. Employers must confirm the validity of an applicant’s driving licence, ensuring compliance with legal requirements and prioritising safety. This step is particularly relevant in logistics, transportation, and field sales, where employees are frequently required to operate vehicles. Conducting a thorough check helps reduce risks associated with unqualified or ineligible drivers.
Highly Recommended Background Checks
Identity Verification
Identity checks have become increasingly important in preventing identity fraud within the hiring process. With the rise of sophisticated fraud tactics, digital identity verification technology can provide a confidence score that ensures the individuals being hired are who they claim to be. While relevant across all industries, identity checks are particularly crucial in sectors such as finance and healthcare, where security and compliance are of utmost importance.
Employment History Verification
Employment history verification allows employers to gain deeper insights into a candidate’s experience, skills, and reliability. Rather than relying solely on a CV, this process involves a detailed review of an applicant’s previous employment, roles, and responsibilities.
Many organisations choose to outsource these checks to BPSS Check, a reliable security screening company based in the UK, which typically cover three, five, or ten years of an individual’s employment history. This verification process is a valuable tool for assessing a candidate’s suitability for the role and is widely used across all industries.
Medical Checks
Medical checks, though not legally required for most positions, play a crucial role in industries where physical or mental fitness is essential. Employers may request general health assessments or specific tests, such as drug and alcohol screening, to ensure that candidates can perform their duties safely and effectively. These checks are particularly relevant in construction, transportation, and healthcare, where employees may be exposed to physically demanding or high-risk environments.
Reference Checks
Reference checks offer a broader perspective on an applicant’s reliability, work ethic, and professional capabilities. While obtaining character and employment references has become increasingly challenging, reference checks remain an important part of the hiring process. Employers who take the time to verify references gain a more comprehensive understanding of a candidate’s strengths and potential fit within the organisation. These checks are beneficial across all industries and can significantly enhance the recruitment process.
Industry-Specific Screening Standards
Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS)
Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks are widely used for roles that require access to sensitive information. Though commonly referred to as a background check, BPSS is actually a collection of multiple checks, including identity verification, employment history (past three years), national and immigration status, and unspent criminal records.
For individuals who have spent six months or more abroad in the past three years, additional verification may be required. While BPSS is a government standard designed for civil servants, armed forces members, and government contractors, it is also widely used in the private sector as a baseline level of vetting. Employers in IT, security, and government sectors commonly use BPSS checks to ensure their hires meet the necessary security standards.
BS7858 Screening
BS7858 screening is another comprehensive background check commonly used for security-sensitive roles. Like BPSS, this screening process involves multiple verification steps, including identity, employment history, criminal records, and financial background checks.
Employers in the security industry and other high-risk sectors use a BS7858 screening service from BPSS Check to ensure that their hires in the UK are trustworthy and suitable for positions requiring a high level of responsibility.
Conclusion
Hiring the perfect candidate requires a comprehensive candidate screening process that balances compliance, security, and fairness. HR professionals must implement a Candidate Experience Checklist that ensures smooth onboarding while protecting the business from risks. By incorporating HR and new hires screening best practices, businesses can make informed hiring decisions and build a trustworthy workforce.
If you wish to run background checks on your candidates, get in touch with BPSS Check today!
