Reasons Why a Candidate Fails A Background Check

Nov 2, 2021 | Background Check, Employer Responsibilities

Partnering with a trusted background check agency is a good start in choosing the best fit for the available job position. Sometimes, employers think that they have finally found the perfect person for the job until there comes a negative result of the background check. With it comes a new dilemma: accept or reject. As an employer, understanding why the applicant failed the background check is necessary as it can make or break your company. Employment background screening helps you protect your company from everything, from employee unexpected performance problems to risky job behaviors. 

But what are the reasons why an employee fails a background check? 

  1. Criminal History – all criminal records must be reported to a background check agency and it will be up to the employer to hire the person depending on their decision making. Regardless, denying a job to a person because of criminal history may be an act of discrimination.
  2. Education Discrepancies – disclosing education while applying for a job is important for every employer as this tests the applicant’s honesty. Having an honest employee in the company can help you succeed. Most employment background screening systems use education verification to get accurate and correct details about a candidate’s education.
  3. Poor Credit History – some background checks include credit reviews to know if the applicant is tied in debt and payment delinquencies. This is an area of concern  especially if the position applied for is financially related.
  4. Poor Driving Record – checking the applicant’s driving records can help the employer avoid any legal and insurance consequences that can arise if the employee gets into an accident while on duty or while driving the company’s vehicle.
  5. False Employment History – work experience is one of the major reasons why a candidate is hired. Of course, a history of doing the same or similar job at a different company is attractive but when you find out that the applicant wasn’t exactly truthful in his resume can be a ground for fraud.
  6. Failed Drug Test – employees using drugs can be a major liability to the company. It is the reason there is also drug screening that an applicant has to undergo. If using drugs is used for medical purposes, it can be discussed with legal counsel before any adverse action is made against his application for employment. 

The next question is, what to do when your candidate fail the background check? 

1. Start with reviewing your policy and the grounds for hiring a new employee.

2. Send a pre-adverse action notice if you’re considering not hiring the applicant based on the results of the screening. 

3. Allow your candidate to respond and give him/her the opportunity to discuss the issues discovered during the background screening process.

4. Make a decision that aligns with your company’s policies and employment guidelines.

5. Send an adverse action notice if you decide not to hire the person. You can explain your findings and give the reasons for you rejections.

When it comes to screening employees, SimpliVerified uses many different screening application services to verify an applicant’s background. No matter how big or small your company is, we will find the perfect job candidate to fit your needs. Call us now.