What is the Turnaround Time for Accurate Background Checks

Building a successful team requires time and effort. You go through resumes, conduct interviews, and work hard to discover the ideal applicant who fits into your company's culture and has the abilities your role demands. But, before you extend that offer letter, there is one critical step: a background check.

Consider a background check to be a multi-layered analysis that reveals important information about a prospective employee. Each layer explores into a certain area of the background, resulting in a well-rounded picture. Here's an overview of some typical checks:

• Criminal Record Checks: This determines whether the candidate has a criminal past relevant to the position.
• Credit history and bankruptcy checks (where allowed by law): These can provide insights into financial responsibility, although their significance varies according to the role.
• Employment History Checks: This checks previous employment information such as job titles, dates of employment, and reasons for leaving.
• Education Verification: This assures that the candidate's educational qualifications are valid.
• Professional Certificates and Licences Verification: This process confirms any professional licences or certifications required for the work.

So, how long does this pre-employment back ground check take?

It can vary widely, from a few minutes for quick online checks to several weeks for comprehensive investigations. The wait time varies on numerous factors:

• The number of checks: The more checks you have, the longer it will take.


• Verification Complexity: Some checks involve more digging, such as contacting previous employers or checking licences, which can take time.


• Location: Background check methods vary per country, thus overseas checks may take longer.

While a faster turnaround may be appealing, remember that a thorough back ground check is an investment in your company's future. The more information you verify, the more assured you will be in your hiring decision. After all, a strong team is built on trust and openness, and a thorough and accurate background check helps you lay that solid foundation.

Understanding Back ground Check Timelines

We all want to say "yes" as soon as a promising applicant crosses our desks. However, there is one vital step before the celebratory handshake: a background check. It's like conducting a comprehensive research to ensure you choose the most suitable applicant for the job.

The good news? Some background checks, such as online verifications, take only minutes to complete. Not very good news? More thorough checks can take several weeks. So, what is the average wait time?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer, but an employment background check UK can take anywhere from a few minutes to several weeks to complete. Let's explore into specific checks and how long they might take, considering the factors mentioned above:

Criminal Record Checks

Criminal background checks are a vital part of the pre-employment screening process for many organisations. They provide valuable insights about a candidate's criminal past, allowing you to make informed hiring decisions.

Turnaround Time: Criminal background checks may usually be performed in a matter of days or weeks. However, in the United Kingdom, the timescale varies slightly depending on the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check level selected.

• Basic DBS Check: This typically returns results within 14 working days. It reveals unspent convictions and cautions.


• Standard DBS Check: This goes a step further than the basic check, also including details of spent convictions (depending on the seriousness of the offense). Results are usually available in around 14 working days.


• Enhanced DBS Check: This provides the most comprehensive report, including barred list checks to see if the candidate is disqualified from working with specific vulnerable groups. Expect a turnaround time of 2-4 weeks, potentially longer if further verification is needed.


• Enhanced with Barred List Checks: This is the most in-depth option, offering the same information as an Enhanced check with an immediate barred list check result.

Remember, these are only estimates. Several variables can affect the actual wait time, like if discrepancies arise in the information provided, or the candidate appears on barred lists requiring additional checks, the process can take longer or during peak times, the DBS might experience higher processing volumes, slightly extending turnaround times.

Credit History Check

Credit history and bankruptcy checks provide insight into an applicant's financial management.

Turnaround Time: While credit checks are not required for most UK employees background checks, specific industries may require them. These checks dig deeper, looking for County Court Judgements (CCJs), bankruptcies, insolvencies, and other financial records. While turnaround times may vary, an efficient screening provider may often deliver results within 5 working days.

Note: Always ensure credit checks comply with local regulations and are only used when permitted for the specific role. Communicate openly with candidates about the background check process, including whether a credit check is included.

Employment History Check

Verifying a candidate's employment history is a crucial step in pre-employment screening. It helps ensure they've accurately represented their past work experience, including job titles, dates of employment, and reasons for leaving.

Turnaround Time: The turnaround time for employment history checks varies greatly, ranging from 10 to 20 working days. This timeline represents the effort required to contact previous employers and acquire information.

In the UK, employment history checks frequently include manual reference checks. This means that employers will contact prior employers to check the information provided by the candidate.

Education Verification

Education Verification involves verifying a candidate's claimed degrees, diplomas, and attendance.

Turnaround Time: Similar to employment history checks, education verification can take a couple of weeks to complete. This reflects the manual effort involved in contacting schools and universities to confirm details.

Professional Certificates and Licenses Check

Verifying professional credentials during background checks in the UK ensures candidates possess the necessary skills and qualifications.

Turnaround Time: Professional certification and licence checks can be surprisingly quick. Electronic verification through specialised background screening companies can produce results in minutes. This makes it a time-saving alternative to other verification methods.

Note: If online verification is not available or requested, the process may take several days. This typically involves contacting the issuing organisations directly to validate the authenticity and current status of the certificates or licences.

Conclusion

We understand the desire for a quick turnaround during background check by employer. After all, you want to fill that open position and get your business moving forward. However, thorough and accurate background checks are crucial for making informed hiring decisions. You deserve to know you're bringing qualified, trustworthy individuals onto your team.

At Complygate, we take the burden off your shoulders. Our team of background check specialists offers a streamlined process, ensuring a balance between speed and detail. We don't just verify information quickly; we create consolidated reports that integrate all background check results, making the hiring process smooth and efficient.

Contact us today and experience the Complygate difference!