Resume Fraud - The Case for Background Checks

If you employ staff to work for you, particularly for sensitive positions such as child minding or bookkeeping, you should conduct background checks. It is amazing the extent that some applicants go to with lies about their qualifications, skills and employment history, or even having a criminal record. The practice of ?massaging? your credentials on your resume may seem to be harmless and an accepted practice but the simple truth is that exaggeration, omission or fabrication of important details on a resume is fraud. Some untruths can be small and appear somewhat minor, but others can cripple you.

Statistics show that as many as 1 in 3 resumes are fraudulent and that 82% of all business fraud crimes committed are by the employees. You may be familiar with the case of the doctor practicing without a degree, the nanny with a criminal record for theft, or an accountant that faked their credentials. These examples are not uncommon. The case of the nanny was one real example that Home Buddies uncovered during a recent Police Check of an applicant.

Standards Australia has released a recommendation for all employers, large and small, for undertaking background checking of potential employees. The Australian Standard AS8001-2003 Fraud & Corruption Control recommends employers:

1. Verify the identity of the applicant
2. Conduct a Police Check
3. Screen referees
4. Verify formal qualifications
5. Interview previous employers

The time and cost of conducting a background check is minimal compared to the potentially devastating cost to your family or your business if you employ the wrong person for the job. Employing someone who lacks the appropriate qualifications, skills or experience, or who may have a criminal record, can heavily impact on productivity. Consider the cost of having to repeat the recruitment process, retraining, loss of capital or even court and compensation costs.-

By Kelly Honeybrook - Director - Home Buddies - Find local services for parents & homeowners. Find a Nanny, Landscaper, Handyman, Cleaner, Plumber, Electrician and more - Authorised background checking service.