Imagine recruiting a key employee for a critical role only to find six months later that their credentials were forged. For a small business, this might result in reputational damage. However, for a large corporation, it is a costly violation of compliance provisions.  

Background screening forms an essential part of employee screening, but it can be challenging to manage it within the organization.  

That’s why outsourcing offers a smarter and more efficient approach to securing your workplace. 

This blog highlights 10 compelling reasons why outsourcing background screening can revolutionize your hiring process. 

What is Background Screening? 

Background screening pertains to the verification process done on a candidate’s credentials, history, and qualifications to assess their potential suitability for an organization role. It includes most checks on employment history, educational background, professional qualifications, criminal records, credit reports, right to work, and in some cases, social media activity.  

Moreover, it ensures that the information provided by the applicant is accurate and goes in line with the organization’s hiring criteria. Background screening helps organizations to diminish fraud risks, claims associated with negligent hiring, or reputational damage while establishing a secure and trusted workplace.  

Regardless of whether it is done in-house or outsourced, this remains a crucial step in modern recruitment practices. Especially for jobs involving sensitive data, financial management, or public trust, candidate screening matters a lot. 

Now, let’s discuss the top ten reasons to outsource background screening for staff vetting:

1. Expertise and Compliance with Laws

Third-party screening providers are experts who keep abreast of changing regulations, such as GDPR, FCRA, and more. Their knowledge reduces the chances of non-compliance and ensures your process is the best practice in the industry. 

A company in the UK was fined due to a breach of GDPR when dealing with confidential data on employees. It avoided this particular issue by outsourcing background screening and transferring the burden of compliance to experts.

2. Increased Accuracy and Reliability

Outsourcing companies employ very high-end tools and methodologies to check all the information. Be it employment history or criminal records, their processes decrease the chances of mistakes and omitted information. 

A software company once hired a candidate who claimed that he had a degree in Cyber Security. When the company outsourced its verification process, they found that the applicant had forged his education credentials. This saved the company from an adverse hiring process.

3. Speed Time

Internal teams can take weeks to complete checks that in turn lead to delayed hiring decisions. Outsourcing background checks can accelerate turnaround times by using dedicated resources and advanced technology.  

A tech firm reported an enabling of onboarding talent as much as 40% quicker after outsourcing background checks since the delays were reduced.

4. Cost-Effectiveness

Managing an in-house vetting team includes costs, such as software, training, and personnel. This will be concentrated in one predictable fee with outsourcing. 

A manufacturing company calculated the cost of training an in-house vetting team and purchasing verification software. After outsourcing, they saved 30% of vetting costs annually while achieving more comprehensive checks.

5. Improved Candidate Experience

Seamless screening reduces the time lag that may deter applicants. Third-party agencies make the entire process effective and professional in order to efficiently get the services offered. 

A law firm received complaints from applicants regarding the undue delay that occurred during vetting. Outsourcing to a professional provider smoothed out the entire experience, which led to higher ratings in terms of satisfaction and better employer branding.

6. Access to Global Screening Capabilities

If you’re hiring internationally, verifying credentials and conducting background checks can be complex. Screening providers have the resources to navigate cross-border regulations and access global databases. 

A multinational company expanded its talent acquisition globally by outsourcing its screening processes, ensuring compliance with international laws.

7. Mitigating Bias

Outsourced background checking introduces neutrality into the vetting process, which reduces unconscious bias. This way, candidates are marked purely based on their qualifications and history. 

A human resource manager for a finance firm noticed bias crept into in-house vetting with candidates possessing unconventional career paths. Outsourcing ensured neutral, unbiased assessments based purely on facts that improved diversity in their hires.

8. Scalability for Growing Businesses

As your business grows, so does the necessity for effective staff screening. Outsourcing vendors can expand their capacities according to your organization’s growth without diluting standards. 

A retail chain spread across several cities was screening hundreds of applicants within a short timeframe. Outsourcing helped the screening agency scale up instantly without compromising on standards or timelines.

9. Security Enhancements

The outsourcing providers follow rigid data protection procedures, ensuring that sensitive information remains confidential. Their systems are structured with no data breach or unauthorized access. 

A financial services company dealing with sensitive data breached in-house vetting. On outsourcing to a professional background checking provider with advanced security protocols, they ensured data protection and further risk aversion.

10. Focus on Core Business Operations

Outsourcing frees the HR team to do other strategic activities such as improving employee engagement and retention rather than administrative vetting work. 

For instance, a retail chain outsourced background screening and went on to reduce the workload of its HR by 60% to engage in training programs. 

How Smart Workforce Simplifies Background Screening?

Smart Workforce’s Staff Vetting software is an advanced employee screening platform. Employing BS7858-compliant checks, integrating automated workflows, and being a complete solution to hire with confidence – we have got that right here. 

Here’s how Smart Workforce simplifies the BS7858 screening process: 

• A fully automated solution that completes the BS7858 screening process online and saves precious time and resources 
• No need to pay extra charges for BS7858 screening, all features are already included in the premium plan (except the free trial) 
• Supports multiple background checking and staff screening processes 
• Professional & customized correspondence for a timely and complete response 
• Allows managers to monitor the progress of the vetting process 
• A completely integrated system that eliminates the need for a third-party database 
• Offers flexibility and reduces dependence on inconvenient paper records with ready-to-access information 

Secure Your Workforce Today

Background screening outsourcing is not merely a luxury but an investment in protecting your organization. Smart Workforce’s latest vetting tools enable you to add value to your workforce, which is trustworthy and reliable – one that ultimately achieves business objectives. 

Ready to transform your hiring process? Book a free demo today and learn how Smart Workforce helps simplify employee vetting.