Temporary Workers May Cause Permanent Problems Without Background Checks

A recent article in an Abilene, TX business magazine asked the question: To hire or use a temp?

It is a simple question with a complicated answer – especially with regard to background checks.

Given these uncertain economic times, a growing trend involves employers hiring temporary workers instead of full-time or part-time employees to save money and reduce liability. Since these employers are worried about the future, the common belief is that they can lower their risk and overhead by hiring temporary workers.

Temporary work is as recession-proof as any job can be, since it is not driven by the economy as most other businesses. When the economy slows down, the need for temporary workers – or “temps” – speeds up. The reasons employers choose to hire temporary workers are many. "Temps" are employees of the staffing agency, not the companies that hire them, meaning the agency handles payroll, taxes, insurance, and other employment-related processes including background checks.

However, with more “temps” in today's job market comes the need for more efficient background checks on temporary workers. According to Texas Association of Staffing statistics, staffing firms in the state employed 861,324 people for temporary or contract work in 2007 – an average of 224,303 per day – and that the average length of employment was approximately 13.5 weeks (94-95 days).

A lot can happen in three months, which is why employers should perform thorough and extensive background checks on temporary and contract workers. Just because temporary workers are on the company payroll does not mean employers are relieved of all responsibility if "temps" create a hostile workplace or engage in criminal behavior while on the job. Employers need to know exactly what type of background checks staffing firms are performing on temporary workers and cannot assume those background checks are proper and professional. Background checks are necessary to ensure that employers do not expose customers, workers, workplace, or the public to an unqualified or possibly dangerous person.

Performing due diligence on temporary workers through background checks remains critical, even in this harsh economy. Employers are strongly advised to insist that appropriate background checks are conducted on ALL workers: full-time, part-time, and temporary. Pre-Employ.com – a leading provider of background checks and other pre-employment screening services nationwide – has worked with recruiters and staffing professionals to protect their clients with background checks that follow due diligence and best practice methods.

For more information, visit www.pre-employ.com, email info@pre-employ.com, or call 1-800-300-1821.

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