Introduction:
Pre-employment screening is an essential step in ensuring that organizations hire the right people for the job while protecting their assets, reputation, and employees. A.7.1.1 of the ISO 27001 standard highlights the importance of pre-employment screening and provides a checklist of requirements that organizations should follow.
In this article, we will explore the importance of pre-employment screening, provide sample checklists, and discuss how organizations can accomplish this.
Pre-employment screening is essential in mitigating potential risks to an organization.
Screening can prevent hiring individuals who may pose a risk to the organization or its employees.
For example, an organization that hires an employee with a history of fraud or embezzlement may expose itself to financial loss or reputation damage.
Similarly, an organization that hires an employee with a history of violence may expose its employees to physical harm.
Sample Checklist:
- Verify Employment History: Verify the candidate’s previous employment history to ensure that they have the relevant experience for the job.
- Check Education and Certification: Confirm that the candidate’s education and certification records are accurate and up-to-date.
- Conduct Criminal Background Checks: Conduct a criminal background check to identify any prior convictions or charges that may disqualify the candidate from employment.
- Conduct Credit Checks: Conduct a credit check to ensure that the candidate has a good financial history and is not a risk to the organization’s assets.
- Conduct Drug Testing: Conduct drug testing to ensure that the candidate is drug-free and can perform the job safely.
- Verify References: Verify the candidate’s professional and personal references to gain insight into their work ethic, personality, and job performance.
- Conduct Social Media Checks: Conduct social media checks to ensure that the candidate’s online presence aligns with the organization’s values and standards.
- Verify Identity: Verify the candidate’s identity through a government-issued ID to prevent fraud and identity theft.
- Review Driving Records: Review the candidate’s driving records if the job requires driving to ensure that they have a safe driving history.
- Conduct Personality Assessments: Conduct personality assessments to assess the candidate’s fit with the organization’s culture and values.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, pre-employment screening is a crucial step in the hiring process that helps organizations avoid potential risks and protect their assets, reputation, and employees.
The ISO 27001 standard provides a checklist of requirements that organizations should follow to ensure the screening process complies with relevant privacy and employment laws and regulations, is consistent and repeatable, and includes enhanced screening processes for workers in particularly trusted roles.
By implementing a thorough pre-employment screening process, organizations can hire the right people for the job and avoid potentially damaging situations.
