If
your business is thinking of hiring
employees, you need to consider whether
you will be checking references and CV
information thoroughly enough. A new
survey shows that a quarter of employers
in the UK have had to withdraw a job
offer after discovering that a candidate
had lied or misrepresented themselves on
their application.
The findings from the Chartered
Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)
survey also showed that 23% of employers
have dismissed someone who was already
in the job for lying on their
application. One example given by the
CIPD included candidates using a
“references agency” and fake references
printed on copied or stolen company
stationary.
The results show that many businesses
are risking employment problems through
a lack of checks; 23% of employers did
not always check up on candidate’s
references, while 20% never or rarely
check on candidate’s absence records.
24% of employers never or rarely check a
candidate’s academic qualifications,
while another 19% only check sometimes.
Rebecca Clake, Recruitment Adviser at
the CIPD said, "Employers need to be
careful. A strong economy and low
unemployment means many employers are
struggling to find applicants. But
there are risks that go with rushing
candidates into fill vacancies without
pausing to make basic checks. If you
don't have rigorous pre-employment
checks in place, you risk being a soft
touch for people who are willing to be
dishonest to get work or advance their
careers. On the other hand, if all
employers carried out checks on a more
regular basis, it's more likely those
people who genuinely fit the criteria
for the job will be successful.”
Although a candidate’s past is only part
of the information you should use to
pick an employee; it is important to
know that what you are being told is
truthful. After all, would you want a
dishonest employee looking after your
important customers or spending your
business’s money?
For more information on employment and
hiring employees visit our Personal
Development portal here.
