Court awards have cost employers millions of dollars. Employers also seek to protect company assets. Sometimes background checks are mandated by law. Criminal and credit checks are most often required. Penalties for non-compliance are usually monetary fines, but occasionally include jail sentences as well.
Background checks add an important piece to the applicant's total information profile.
The results serve to confirm impressions from interviews and assessments from testing. They increase the likelihood that the applicant is right for the job. In a worst case scenario, an employee detracts from the overall value of the company. In the best case, however, the employee actually adds to the corporate value. Especially during times of lean staffing and widespread responsibilities, each employee must add value if a company is to grow and thrive.