Using background checks is simply a matter of good business. When you hire employees you are bringing someone into your professional family, and will be entrusting these individuals with increasing amounts of responsibility. The best way to start a new professional relationship is learning a little bit about the person you plan on hiring. You should feel sure that the person is ethical and is not planning to do you any harm in the near or distance future.

Some company heads feel that they can "know" a person just by meeting him and can tell whether or not the employee is trustworthy. While it's true that you can tell a lot about a person from their body language, the truth of the matter is, some people have mastered the ability to disguise themselves. They may smile and put others at ease very quickly. They may even look you straight in the eye and assure you that they will never violate your trust. An employer believes an honest face and so takes a chance.

What are the results of trusting a friendly face and relying on hunch? Not too impressive, especially considering that 1 in every 32 adults has a criminal record. Additionally, the US Chamber of Commerce estimates that employee theft costs 1%-2% of gross sales and that 30% of all business failures are directly linked to employee theft. The thieve has nothing to fear if a business goes under because of major profit loss-he just applies and steals somewhere else. Meanwhile your business suffers, never even having a fair start in an ultra-competitive market.

This is why background checks are very important, particularly to new business owners. Whether to minimize the risk of theft or to reinforce security, you should always rely on background checks to help make your decision, before you hire any new employees. In addition to preventing theft, this information may help you discover who could be a physical threat to your family or customers. (After all, some business owners will have family members working in the store unsupervised)

As a new business owner you not only have the right to conduct background checks to all potential employees, you also have the responsibility to care for your business, your other employees and your customers. Before hiring an applicant make sure that the facts agree with his or her story and that you are making a sound investment in your company's future.

Simon M Skinner has worked in the recruitment industry since 1994. He now heads up the marketing team for the screening firm http://www.macdataadvantage.com MacData Advantage is a public records research firm. As a member of the National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS), they hold themselves to a high level of standards to meet the highest expectations of their clients and lawmakers.