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Background Check Companies: What Do These Companies Do?

Kivo Daily Staff on September 1, 2023

Image commercially licensed from Unsplash

You must be asking yourself what kind of background should be checked when it comes to individuals. In addition to the personal checks we conduct when we are interested in someone, there are also the ones that businesses carry out before hiring new employees. Doing a background check is one of the most critical steps taken by companies before onboarding a new employee. The whole point behind these checkups is to provide you with information on their working history and what their character is like. In addition, background checks may help you find out about the critical details that will give you an opportunity to see your future staff’s true colors. There are even companies dealing with this sort of job, and here are some of their major responsibilities.

First Things First, What Is a Background Check

A background check or, in other words, background screening, is some sort of deep research into your working record as a potential candidate for a corporate position. The background check is based on third-party resources where you can look at public records, credit bureaus, law enforcement, and previous work records. Some specialized companies do specific checkups, such as DBS checks for care home employees, and provide employers with information about someone’s competence to work in peculiar working conditions. Typically, companies request background checks for employees who apply for positions where they have access to client or customer information. Also, this is an essential step for companies that are dealing with the sensitive personal data of clients.

Background Check Companies Reveal Details from Employees’ Professional Lives

The information included in the background checks may vary based on the position and job type. Some of the most common information to be included in these reports is criminal history, with convictions and arrests included, employment history, education history, credit history, social media activity, personal debt collection records, and driving history, which also includes any kind of violation.

Background Check Companies Uncover Any Potential Frauds

Employer checks take place in various industries, especially within those that handle sensitive information such as finances, properties, or any other kind of information containing sensitive data about the client. Typically, companies that do background checks are hired so they can research information about the employee before they are officially given the position. The aim of conducting these checks and even applying for the controls is to prove that the employee has never committed and will not commit any kind of fraud. In the majority of situations, companies hire background check service providers so they can protect their reputations and also find top and trustworthy employees. For some background checks, there are instant results, while for others, it is necessary to wait a couple of days.

What Are the Most Common Background Check Types

There are a whole load of checks that are used in the different cases. However, not all of the types of background checks may apply in every situation. Speaking of the types, it is important to mention that there are 11 different types of checks in total, yet not all of them are used during the checks, just the ones essential for the position.

Criminal History Check: Criminal checks are the most common of all of the types, as employers usually want to know everything about the criminal history of the potential employee. These usually require searches such as registers with ex-offenders, reports from the justice courts, broad-scale databases of crime records, and terror watch lists.
Verifications of the Previous Positions: These confirm the potential employee’s previous work experience.
Education Verification: Education verification is the only way for hiring managers to judge the accuracy of the education information on a candidate’s resume because an undergraduate degree is not quite the same as an academic degree.
Reference Check: Obtaining references from job candidates is a common procedure conducted by employers. The whole point of the reference check is for the employer to see how you would fit in with the company.
Drug Testing: This specific kind of testing is mandatory in some areas, such as traffic or aviation. It goes without saying that the purpose of doing these tests is to determine if the person is addicted to alcohol, drugs, or any other kind of illegal substance.
Sexual Offender Registry: In some areas, it is mandatory for employers to conduct searches in the sex offender register. This type of check is meant to eliminate the possibility of giving a position to people who have a record of sexual offenses. Not to mention that this kind of checkup is necessary for positions where children, daycare centers, and education are involved.

Background checks are necessary for some industries, as you need confirmation that the person you are about to confide in with some of the most sensitive data of your business is reliable enough to handle this responsibility. Also, the companies dealing with these specific types of services are responsible for providing their employees with reliable and trustworthy information, as many things depend on it.

Roofing Transformation: 6 Easy Tips For Finding the Right Roofing Company

Kivo Daily Staff on July 28, 2023

Image commercially licensed from Unsplash

The roof is the first line of protection against bad weather for your house. That’s why it’s so important to choose an expert to handle your roofing job, whether it’s a replacement or repair. Also, it’s vital to be familiar with the criteria for selecting a roofing contractor.

Given that almost anybody may claim expertise in roofing, it is up to you to do your research before making a hiring decision. When you think about how much money is at stake, it’s clear that it’s important to carefully consider all of the options.

Experience

Years in business are an excellent barometer of a roofing company’s effectiveness. Social media platforms like Facebook and review platforms like Yelp have made it much simpler to identify local roofing companies that provide poor or excellent service.

However, you should be aware that their age is not always indicative of their level of knowledge. Keep in mind that a business employs employees from many different backgrounds. It is not uncommon for seasoned businesspeople to own and operate a brand-new firm. Roofing companies that don’t have at least a few years of experience should be avoided at all costs.

Licensing and insurance

Prevent any harm to your house or, worse, your employees from occurring during construction. Roofing companies that care about their employees should provide them with workers’ compensation. Even if a contractor’s license isn’t required in your state, it’s still wise to choose one that is. All of these factors demonstrate that skilled roofers are dedicated to offering excellent residential roofing services. It has nothing to do with mistrust and everything to do with safety. Anyone might be affected by this, so it’s important to choose a competent roofing contractor you can trust. They also need to be properly licensed, certified, and insured.

Choose locally

Roofing companies must have a physical location in the region they serve in addition to a local phone number. Using a roofing company in your immediate area assures compliance with building regulations, proper documentation, and easy tracking down in the event of a problem.

The influx of businesses from other states after major disasters is another important consideration when making hiring decisions. These businesses steal business from local roofers by offering lower pricing, collecting the money, and then moving on to the next town affected by a natural disaster.

Some storm-chasing roofing businesses are reliable, but most of them don’t follow local building rules or care whether they do a decent job installing your roof. You don’t want to pay for a new roof just to find out it wasn’t put on properly or isn’t up to code.

References

Roofing companies should be contacted and asked for recommendations from projects performed within the last three to six months. This will allow you to inspect the completed roof when the roofing contractor has finished their job. You might also get in touch with the homeowner to inquire about their own experience and whether or not they encountered any issues with the procedure.

When you’re on the lookout for a trustworthy and dependable roofing company to entrust with your roofing needs, a key factor that speaks volumes about their credibility and competence is their willingness and ability to furnish you with references. A reputable roofing company, backed by a solid track record of successful projects and satisfied customers, should readily and eagerly provide you with a comprehensive list of references. These references act as shining testimonials of their craftsmanship, professionalism, and commitment to customer satisfaction. By engaging with these past clients, you can glean invaluable insights into the company’s performance, workmanship, and overall reliability. Furthermore, these references serve as a reassuring beacon, guiding you towards a roofing partner who instills confidence and peace of mind in your decision-making process. As you embark on this journey to safeguard and enhance the integrity of your home or property, embracing a roofing company with a proven history of excellence becomes an essential step towards achieving the long-lasting and top-notch results you deserve. Don’t choose a roofing company if they won’t even offer you a physical location to check out.

Understand your roofing needs

Should you fix the roof you have or get a new one? The finest roofing company can evaluate the situation and decide whether it is more cost-effective to replace the roof at this time or to make repairs. If your roof is 20 years old or older, it is probably time to think about getting a new one. In such a case, you’ll need to choose the appropriate material.

Asphalt shingles and cedar shingles are the most popular options. There are benefits to both, but the price difference makes asphalt the more popular option. The roof deck, watershield, and underlayment are all critical components of a roof and will need to be replaced if the shingles or cedar on top are damaged.

Budget

Although roofers will try to work within your financial constraints, the best ones won’t skimp on materials. Quality materials may be more expensive up front, but they will save you money in the long term since you won’t have to replace your roof for quite some time. Keep in mind that there are several variables that affect the final price tag, including roof size and complexity, pitch, and the need for trash removal.

Putting up a new roof is often seen as a very difficult undertaking. However, this isn’t always the case if you reach a competent roofing contractor. There are a few characteristics that all excellent contractors have, and if you keep an eye out for them, you can be certain that your experience will be a positive one.

It’s Time to Take Into Account your Employees’ Needs – All of Them

Kivo Daily Staff on December 6, 2022

Image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/XkKCui44iM0

Employees are undoubtedly a company’s most valuable asset, so they must be treated accordingly.

Surprisingly or not, one of the vital factors for your business to come to fruition is taking care of your employees and doing everything in your power to provide them with the best health and safety conditions. Not only will this help you retain them, but it can also ensure more productivity in your company and hence more goals achieved. You might be knowledgeable about this entrepreneur who made $1.6 million in the stock market and then remunerated his employees with this money. This is a courageous move; nevertheless, it’s not always about money. Sometimes, it’s more about respecting them, allowing them to grow, and giving them meaningful feedback and recognition. It’s necessary to ensure your workers have a true sense of belonging and purpose within your company so they won’t feel obliged to quit their jobs at some point in the future.

One thing is for sure – being mindful of your employees’ needs have some significant perks for both of you, so we’ve found it helpful to discuss them in the following:

Essential employee needs companies can’t afford to neglect

Employees are just human beings, so it’s normal for them to have needs and expectations. And it’s crucial for businesses to meet these needs not only to protect their workers but also to ensure their success. So, here’re some of the critical employee needs we heartily advise you not to ignore:

Physical and mental well-being – Ensuring your labourers’ health should be your top priority, as healthy employees will likely be more productive and satisfied. So, try to provide the best health and safety conditions. This includes everything from giving them proper PPE (personal protective equipment), protecting them from noise exposure and hazardous substances to ensuring the right temperature in the workplace and clearing any walkway and corridor frequently. Slips and trips are common issues your employees may face in the working environment, so you should do your best to ensure they’re never in such an unpleasant situation. Furthermore, you’re likely to lose a valuable employee and pay lots of money in compensation. Specialists from https://www.accidentclaims.co.uk/ say that it’s the employee’s right to claim compensation for an injury they think their employer is at fault for, so be cautious.
Fair salaries – It goes without saying that your workers need to be treated equally and given wages based on their very competencies and work progress, so a subjective basis has no place here.
Job security – Most people are looking for a stable job, so if your company faces a really hard time, your employees should be informed about them. Thus, they can decide whether to remain in your company or seek another job.
Recognition – No one will ever wish for their work to be undervalued, no matter how small or big the task they perform might be. After all, every employee has their place and contribution in a company, and if one isn’t there to perform a certain duty, your business success situation might not be the same. Hence, appreciate and recognise the effort of your labourers as much as possible.
Work-life balance – Professional life is undoubtedly essential to your direction and purpose, but so is the personal one. That “me time” can have amazing benefits for your employees, so consider offering them flexible work hours, allowing telecommuting or remote work, and providing generous paid time off. Not only contributes this to the mental well-being of your workers, but it also helps you retain them, according to Entrepreneur.
Belonging – Having a sense of belonging is crucial to your employee’s morale. In order to be productive, they first need to feel like they belong to a cohesive, supportive group. For example, when asked about their families and personal interests, workers feel valued, so consider communicating with your employees more often. And encourage harmony and collaboration between them, as well. Team Building exercises are a great idea, as you all have the opportunity to know each other better and – why not – form friendships.

Employees might also be in search of more freedom, career growth, leadership, and contribution.

Reasons taking care of your employees matters

Supporting and appreciating your employees as if they were your friends is of great significance, all the more so since this can bring several upsides for your business:

Higher retention rate

The retention rate might be more meaningful than you think, as it suggests your company’s stability. It’s normal to have employees that choose a route other than your organisation, but not so normal if too many prefer that. So, the number of labourers able to stay within a year at least in your company or since the very beginning represents the retention rate.

That’s why it’s a priority to ensure the necessary work conditions and reward your employees adequately. And don’t just assume that if someone leaves your company it is because they’re simply inclined to (Gen Z people especially have this reputation). No, people don’t simply quit; something must have made them do that.

Enhanced employee loyalty and productivity

If the labourers feel your organisation recognises and reciprocates their efforts, it goes without saying that they’ll stay loyal. Plus, they’ll likely give more of themselves to accomplish their task, so productivity is increased. Thus, ensure you treat your team well and don’t leave the impression that you can replace anyone anytime – because you really can’t.

Stronger customer relationship

You may wonder what this has to do with employees. Well, pretty much. If your workers often interact with customers, as in the HR department, their potential job dissatisfaction can be reflected in their relationship with customers. Therefore, make sure people are proud to represent your company. This can be achieved by simply putting their needs first and treating them well.

Ensuring your employees’ needs and expectations are met is not that hard as long as you understand the involved risk.

Tag: Companies