Why Do Background Checks?

The Benefits of
Employment Background Screening

A Matter of Necessity

Backgrounding employees has become a matter of necessity. There is significant statistical and anecdotal evidence to indicate a certain proportion of your applicants will have made false claims on their job applications/resumes or have been involved in prior criminal activity.

Background Check Statistics

39% of the background checks processed by A Matter of Fact have at least one serious discrepancy.

To learn more about how pervasive the issues usually discovered in a Background Check are, view these statistics gathered by A Matter of Fact from years of experience and also from other industry sources. See Background Check Statistics.

Classic Employer Nightmares

In Palm Beach, Florida the finalists listed by a headhunter for a top county job were a psychologist who had her license revoked for having a social relationship with a patient and a man forced to resign a job for lying on his resume.

True stories like this one outline scenarios that can be avoided by careful applicant background screening. Don't let these examples happen to your organization. See Classic Employer Nightmares.

Background Check Benefits

Improve the return on investment of your most important asset -- people. Note the following benefits of comprehensive employment background screening.

Increase Applicant Quality

Receive fewer applications with serious discrepancies when word gets out that your hiring process includes thorough background screening.
Discourage applicants who are trying to hide something.
Increase applications from applicants who want to work in a safe environment.

We suggest you use an A Matter of Fact Background Check Badge to help get the “word out” that your organization conducts background checks. A Matter of Fact badges inform prospective employees, investors, and other stakeholders, that you are careful in your hiring process and what the benefits are for them. To learn more, see Thorough Background Check Badges. To view the page seen when clicking on the badge, go to We Conduct Thorough Background Checks.

Avoid Workplace Violence

Identify applicants prone to unacceptable workplace behavior.
Create and maintain a safe workforce.

For more information, click Avoid Workplace Violence With Background Checks.

Protect Against Negligent Hiring Liability

Reveal avoidable risks.
Document "reasonable care."

For more information, click Protect Against Negligent Hiring Liability.

Reduce Employee Dishonesty Losses: Stop Employee Fraud, Theft, and Crime Before it Happens

Reduce the likelihood of theft and embezzlement due to financial pressure.
Reduce drug-related theft by encouraging a drug-free work environment.
Reduce other potential dishonest employee problems by avoiding individuals who exaggerate or falsify credentials on resumes and job applications.

For more information, click Reduce Employee Dishonesty Losses.

Reduce Turnover by Making the Right Hire the First Time

Screen in employees who stay longer by making the "Right Hire" the first time.
Ensure better job and organization fit by increasing the objective information available to hiring managers.
Increase the objective information available to hire a competent workforce.
Shorten the hiring cycle.

For more information, click How to Reduce Employee Turnover: Make the Right Hire the First Time.

Improve Profitability

Reduce the high cost of turnover by screening in employees who stay longer.
Reduce losses from employee theft, employee fraud, drug and alcohol abuse, absenteeism, workplace violence, and litigation.
Avoid wasted benefits.
Reduce training and employee development costs.
Increase productivity through hiring employees with better work habits, attitudes, policies, and practices.
Enhance professionalism by "screening in" appropriate workplace attitudes.
Decrease insurance costs. Some insurance companies will give background check or drug-screening discounts to firms who take such precautions.

For more information, click Improve Profitability: Dividends from Employment Background Checks.

NOTE: If Your Employees:

Access consumers' financial, medical, or personal information
Access consumers' living quarters or residences (see Do Your Employees have Access to Residences and Living Quarters?)
Work with the infirm, the elderly, or children
Work with hazardous materials
Are responsible for the safety of themselves and others

You are generally expected by the public, the law, and the courts to be extra-vigilant when screening employees.

Are you a Non Profit Organization?

Non profits have special priorities. Learn how comprehensive background screening provides extra benefits to non profits. Click Background Checks for Non Profits.

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