What Does a Pre-Employment Background Check Include?

Companies must take extra precautions when hiring new employees in today’s competitive job market, especially in the Balkans. With the rise of identity fraud, falsified credentials, and the risk of workplace misconduct, failing to screen properly candidates can lead to significant financial, legal, and reputational risks. This is where background checks come into play.

At Solar Age Security, we specialize in providing comprehensive background screening solutions tailored to the unique challenges of the Balkan region. In this article, we’ll walk you through the various types of background checks that can help protect your business and ensure you hire only the most qualified and trustworthy candidates.

1. Identity Verification: Before anything else, companies need to confirm that the candidate is who they claim to be. Identity fraud is an issue worldwide, and in the Balkans, cases of fake passports or altered IDs have been reported.

2. Criminal Record Check: Employers often need to ensure that potential hires do not have a criminal history that could impact their role. While privacy laws differ by country, companies hiring for sensitive positions (e.g., finance, healthcare, security) must verify this information.

3. Employment History & Reference Verification: Many candidates inflate their work experience to appear more qualified than they are. Employers must ensure that the applicant’s work history is authentic and relevant to the job.
   

Did you know? 78% of hiring managers have caught candidates lying on their CVs about past employment!

4. Education & Certification Validation Diploma fraud is a growing problem, with fake universities and falsified degrees being sold online. In the Balkans, companies hiring for IT, engineering, and medical roles should be particularly cautious.  What Can Be Verified?

   - Authenticity of university diplomas and certificates

   - Degree accreditation from recognized institutions

   - Professional licenses and training credentials
   

5. Financial & Credit History Checks  While not always necessary, financial screenings are essential for banking, fintech, and executive-level hires. Companies need to assess whether a candidate has a history of financial fraud, unpaid debts, or bankruptcy that could affect their role.
   

Tip: To speed up the process, companies should work with professional screening providers who have access to global databases and verification networks.

The Cost of NOT Doing Background Checks  Many companies avoid background checks due to cost or time constraints, but the risks of not screening employees are far greater:

• Financial Fraud & Theft – Unverified employees could steal company funds, leak trade secrets, or manipulate records.

• Workplace Violence – Hiring someone with a history of misconduct can endanger your team and create legal liabilities.

• High Employee Turnover – Without screening, businesses may hire unqualified staff, leading to quick resignations and rehiring costs.
  

Fact: Companies that conduct thorough pre-employment checks experience 40% lower turnover rates and fewer workplace disputes.

Make Smarter Hiring Decisions in the Balkans  The Balkan job market is evolving, but hiring risks remain high. Companies that invest in thorough background checks can:

• Protect their reputation

• Ensure workplace security & compliance

• Reduce hiring risks & financial losses

• Build a stronger, more reliable workforce
  

Want to safeguard your hiring process? Get expert background screening tailored for Balkan companies with Solar Age Security. Let’s talk!