Five Good Reasons For
Pre Employment Evaluations

Most large corporations are aware of the necessity of pre employment evaluations, but in smaller companies these checks are often overlooked. In medium sized and smaller companies the need is even more critical. If you employ only four people and one of them turns out to be a poor choice and must be fired, in one day you've lost 25 percent of your workforce! If someone you hire embezzles or causes harm to another person, not only have you lost an employee, you have lost much more. Here are the reasons to do a very thorough job of pre-employment evaluations, background checking, and applicant testing.

Reason #1: Limit Liability
If a new employee is placed in a position where the company could be legally vulnerable (almost any position at all), pre employment evaluation is an essential part of limiting liability. Certainly you have heard horror stories about companies who have not done this basic hiring homework, only to have the employee engage in a questionable act which resulted in loss or damage and the company was found liable. Diligent evaluation is critical to limiting legal liability.

Reason #2: Determine Prior Performance
Even if an employee does not do something that leaves you legally liable, poor performance will still cost you money. If you find out that a applicant performed poorly at a previous position, it's a good bet that he or she will repeat the same behavior at your company. Knowing in advance saves you the headache of having to fire an employee for poor performance.

Reason #3: Identify Potential Problems
Problems tend to reoccur. During pre employment evaluations problems such as poor attendance, tardiness, substance abuse, a criminal history, and propensity toward theft or laziness can be uncovered.

Reason #4: Reduce Turnover
Pre employment evaluations result in better hiring decisions which automatically reduces turnover and increases productivity. Both are good for your business.

Reason #5: Increase Quality of Employees
Some applicants are better and more persuasive than others during interviews. By checking references, background, and skill abilities you can identify the true superstars from those who say they are superstars.

The time, effort, and money lost every time you have to go through the hiring process due to employee turnover should be motive enough to make sure pre-employment evaluations are done. Even if that's not enough, think about the benefits of finding a person that's more productive and generates greater results.