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Burning Questions about Background Checks

In the world of background screening, there’s always a lot of questions. We have your answers here.

What’s included in a background check?

When we talk about background checks, most people only think about Criminal Record Checks. There are far more screening options available to an employer now and these include verifications such as Employment and Education, Credit Checks, SIN or Address Traces and Social Media Searches.

While Criminal Record Checks are always beneficial, recruiters now have several screening options to help them determine whether the candidate’s current standing could be a detriment to the company’s public or organizational relations.

For instance, Credit Checks equip the recruiter with a present, measurable scale to gauge the candidate’s trustworthiness and aptitude at managing money. This supports the concept of minimizing the company’s risk of theft. Same goes for the intelligence gained from executing a Social Media Search.  The candidate will have certain personal and behavioural qualities that only social interaction can display and disclose. In the end, each recruiter asks themselves, “Is this candidate a fit?”.

How far back does a Criminal Record Check go?

As you know, Criminal Record Searches help mitigate your exposure as an organization by understanding a candidate’s tendency and history regarding violent and threatening behaviour like theft, vandalism, property damage and even fraud. In Ontario, the criminal record reports back-date five years. Canadian Criminal Record Checks are conducted by searching the CPIC database.

The Standard Criminal Record Check reports, Canada-wide, based on names and date of birth. Results provide existing adult criminal charges for which a record suspension has not been granted. However, did you know that a criminal conviction in Canada, with no suspensions, will last up to 80 years before being struck from a person’s record? In recruiting, it is important to obtain as much information as possible on the candidate’s criminal history to tell you the whole story. Many now lean on premium checks that explore pending charges, warrants, judicial orders and peace bonds.

How long do background checks take?

New hire and pre-employment screening shouldn’t take weeks to complete, especially when you’re partnering with a third-party vendor to get the job done.

In the case of working with CIS, most all of our screening services are back to you within 24-72 hours, depending on the service type. The assured turnaround time with CIS for all Canadian Criminal Record Searches is 24 hours or less.