With the advent of digital police records and advanced technologies, the traditional scope of background verification is expanding rapidly. As businesses scale and their teams grow, maintaining trust and reliability within the organization becomes paramount. Continuous monitoring, also known as rolling background checks, is emerging as a game-changer in this regard.
Unlike traditional pre-employment screenings that offer a one-time snapshot of a candidate's criminal history, ongoing monitoring provides a continuous stream of information and real-time alerts about any illegal activities or inappropriate behavior.
Workers reporting or witnessing workplace misconduct estimate that 22% of these instances led to legal proceedings, and 24% resulted in financial settlements. It emphasizes the critical need for continuous checks to proactively address risk management and protect organizations from escalating legal and financial repercussions.
Evolution of Employee Screening: The Growing Trend of Post-Hire Monitoring
Organizations are increasingly adopting post-hire employee monitoring to create a secure workplace environment. This trend relies on real-time monitoring of employee records and proactive tracking of government databases, such as arrests, motor vehicle records, and professional license lapses in real-time. Such continuous checks enable employers to stay abreast of potential red flags or security risks. Employers are also investigating methods to leverage social media monitoring tools for ongoing monitoring while addressing privacy and data security issues as they gain insights into employees' online behavior.
As organizations embrace post-hire monitoring practices, ethical considerations loom large for HR departments. For criminal record monitoring, employers must seek employee consent under relevant regulations unless prompted by specific investigations for misconduct or wrongdoing. Handling real-time employee records raises concerns about accumulating sensitive data, necessitating responsible storage practices and thorough HR training in data security best practices. Hence, establishing clear policies, prioritizing data security, and seeking legal guidance are vital steps to address these challenges and establish trust between organizations and employees.
Companies are increasingly implementing platforms equipped with automated monitoring capabilities for identifying potential red flags. For instance, ride-sharing platforms can employ continuous checks to get real-time updates on drivers' records, flagging new traffic violations or license suspensions. It enhances risk management efforts against potential criminal activities or unsafe driving behaviors.
Driving Forces Behind Continuous Monitoring Adoption
Protects Business Reputation
Instances of employee misbehavior or criminal behavior can significantly tarnish a company's image and erode customer trust. A continuous monitoring system provides real-time notifications, allowing employers to intervene promptly and prevent potential crises. This proactive approach helps protect against reputational damage that could arise from incidents of fraud, theft, violent behavior, or other threats to business integrity and industry compliance.
Protects Clients
Employees, especially those in front-line roles, often interact directly with clients or the general public, including vulnerable populations. For instance, in the healthcare industry, home healthcare workers visit patients in their homes, exposing them to higher risks of abuse, theft, and other crimes. Mistakes or misconduct by employees can severely impact client relationships and erode trust, leading to potential litigation. Companies can proactively intervene to prevent situations from escalating into harm or exploitation through ongoing monitoring.
Fosters a Culture of Transparency and Accountability
Companies can demonstrate a commitment to maintaining high standards of integrity and reliability by regularly monitoring employee backgrounds. It encourages employees to report suspicious behavior and raise concerns about their colleagues, fostering a culture of openness and accountability.
Enhanced Employee Safety and Security
Continuous monitoring promptly flags any criminal activities or misconduct, such as fraud or theft, allowing for quick action to protect employees, clients, and the company's reputation. Moreover, it helps identify and address workplace safety concerns like harassment or violence, fostering a supportive and secure work environment. In turn, it enhances employee productivity, engagement, and overall well-being.
Better Risk Management
Continuous monitoring is essential for effective risk management due to the prevalence of fraud and abuse in industries like healthcare, finance, e-commerce, and technology. For example, continuous monitoring systems in a financial institution can detect suspicious activities, such as an employee accessing client accounts outside of normal working hours or processing unusually large transactions without proper authorization. Continuous checks can promptly flag such anomalies for institutions to investigate and mitigate potential fraudulent behavior.
Compliance
Continuous workforce monitoring ensures ongoing compliance with federal, state, or industry-specific standards and laws throughout an individual's employment tenure. Regularly updating employee records and cross-referencing them with relevant databases allows the company to reevaluate the employee's suitability for their role to avoid hefty fines or expensive lawsuits.
Conclusion
Inherently, running a business involves risks, but by embracing continuous background checks, companies can mitigate these risks and protect their assets, reputation, and clientele. The gig economy, coupled with the increasing reliance on data and technology, requires a proactive approach to risk management for organizations aiming to navigate the complexities of today's workforce. As companies implement continuous monitoring, it's crucial they openly discuss these practices with employees. It builds trust, accountability, and a solid foundation for a workplace culture that values safety, integrity, and mutual respect.
