With the 95 degree heat we’ve been experiencing in Chicago lately, the summer is most definitely upon us. It’s time to break out that new Speedo, throw some shrimp on the barbee and do to get your summer groove on.
For many employers, summer also means an explosion of hiring for seasonal staff. Whether it’s interns, camp counselors, life guards, etc. the heat is on to get people hired and get them on the job as quickly as possible. So, it’s up to you as the human resources professional to make sure things don’t fall through the cracks (here’s the part where we start talking about employee background checks).
The people you hire during the summer, even if they are only temporary, come with the same risks as any other employee and it is imperative that pre-employment background screening practices remain the same.
The best way to ensure this happens is to make sure you start the process early. We have a number of clients whose employment rosters soar during the summer and many of them start making job offers as early as March. In many cases, they have made a significant portion of their hires by the end of April. This allows them all the time they need to make sure everything is in order.
One practice that we think is vital is to have all of the paper work in order, make the job contingent on the successful completion of an employment background check and then conduct that check as close to the person’s starting date as possible. This way, you have the most current and up to date information before the person is on the job.
For those that don’t have a program, now is a great time to check out background screening companies. I suggest looking companies that are NAPBS Accredited (by the National Association of Professional Background Screeners). (NAPBS).
Now go enjoy your summer!
