Last Updated on: 22nd November 2023, 01:02 pm
As a business owner, you’re constantly looking for new ways to improve your company.
A lot of the time that can mean making sure your current employees are working to their full potential. However, you can actually improve your business before staff even join your team!
Obtaining basic DBS checks for potential hires is a great way to boost your business before your new recruits step foot in the office.
Let’s take a look at a few ways in which basic DBS checks can benefit your company.
What is a basic DBS check?
Before we get started, let’s take a quick look at what a basic DBS check is.
A basic DBS check will reveal a potential employee’s unspent convictions (when a defined period of time has not yet passed since the individual was convicted of a criminal offence) or conditional cautions.
They can either be obtained directly through the government’s online application system or through a Responsible Organisation such as uCheck.
Employers can request a basic check for potential staff through a Responsible Organisation, provided that they have the consent of the new hire.
The benefits of basic DBS checks for your business
They protect your company
If you are a business owner then, naturally, you want to protect your venture from criminal threats.
Obtaining basic DBS checks for new employees is one of the simplest ways to do that.
A staggering 81% of businesses hit by fraud in 2017 said at least one of the perpetrators worked for the company in question, according to the latest Kroll Annual Global Fraud and Risk Report.
Acquiring basic DBS checks won’t guarantee your business is safe from fraud, but it will highlight any unspent convictions potential staff have.
If you feel like a prospective hire might be a risk to your business, then you don’t have to employ them.
They cover your back if anything does occur
If a crime does happen in your office then you will want to prove you did everything in your power to prevent it.
Carrying out basic DBS checks before you hire staff is a great way to do that.
If any legal issues arise from the incident you will have proof that you took out significant background checks on the staff beforehand.
It is an easy, yet effective, method to cover you and your organisation, should things start to get messy.
They improve brand reputation
Your brand’s reputation is not something that was there from the beginning. It took months, possibly years, of hard work to build.
You do not want one unpleasant staff-related incident to ruin it.
Obtaining a basic DBS check for a prospective employee is one way to reduce the chances of an issue occurring.
The financial benefits are clear, too.
A study by the North American Hutrust found 83% of consumers would recommend brands they trust.
By protecting your company’s image you are increasing the likelihood of winning business through recommendations.
You will also be making sure your current customers come back time and time again.
Easy way to build trust between staff
Trust in the workplace is one of the most significant factors in creating a harmonious office.
Building faith is not easy, but when it is there it makes life much easier for everyone.
By obtaining basic DBS checks you can be more confident of having an open and honest relationship with your staff.
It should also be noted that you don’t “pass” or “fail” DBS checks — that’s a common misconception. They simply reveal any unspent convictions or conditional cautions.
As the employer you can still put your faith in whoever you see fit.
Improved staff output
When staff feel like their superiors trust them, their productivity levels are higher. So, by building trust with your employees you are likely to get more output from them.
Similarly, if staff know they can trust each other they tend to become a much more cohesive unit.
Making it company policy to carry out basic DBS checks is a very simple method to make staff feel comfortable.
Conclusion: Should you carry out basic DBS checks?
Obtaining basic DBS checks is a very effective way to build trust, increase output and provide a boost for your company.
As a business leader, however, you might not have the time to do this for each prospective hire.
Outsourcing to a team of experts will speed up the process and will be cost effective in the long run.
Next time you think about hiring new staff, consider carrying out basic DBS checks beforehand — it could be the key to your business thriving.
