Conducting an effective background check for a remote or virtual employee can be a bit more challenging than for an in-person hire. It is important to take into account the unique challenges that arise when hiring someone who will be working remotely. Here are a few things to keep in mind when conducting background checks for remote employees:
First, it’s important to verify their identity. With remote work, it can be more difficult to confirm that the person you are hiring is who they say they are. You can use online verification tools, such as video conferencing, to confirm the employee’s identity. Their appearance should be compared with a copy of their driver’s license or other photo id. A social security number validation can help confirm that the applicant is providing valid information. Additionally, it’s important to make sure that the employee’s contact information is accurate, so that you can reach them if needed.
As with any employment background check, the candidate must agree in writing to allow the background check. You must also provide them with certain required federal and state notices. We provide a sample background check authorization form which you can customize for your company needs. For a remote employee you can get this signature by fax, scan, PDF e-signature, DocuSign, or even from photos snapped on a cell phone. If you do use the cell phone method, be sure to have the employee initial each page of the authorization form and send photos of each page to prove that you gave them everything that is legally required.
Another important consideration is the geographic scope of the background check. Remote employees may have lived in different locations, and therefore may have a criminal history check from different states. It’s important to conduct a background check that covers all of the places where the employee has lived, worked or gone to school in the past. Our national criminal background check is an effective and economical way to meet this requirement.
Finally, it’s important to communicate with the employee throughout the process. It’s important to keep them informed of the status of their background check, and to address any concerns or questions they may have. This will help to build trust and a positive working relationship with the employee.
Overall, conducting an effective background check for a remote or virtual employee requires a bit more effort and attention to detail than for an in-person hire. However, by taking the time to verify the employee’s identity and background check, you help ensure that you are hiring a trustworthy remote employee.