Keep reading as we dive deeper into the reasons why you should perform background checks before briefly exploring the benefits of outsourcing the task to a professional third-party service.

1.   Security

Employees have access to confidential client data and business assets, so they must be someone you can trust. Social media checks can reveal possible involvement in illegal activity, including drug use and links to proscribed organisations, as well as information about financial status.

Undertaking a thorough risk assessment prevents bribery, corruption and fraud – all of which would irretrievably damage the reputation you’ve worked so hard to build.

2.   Dangerous language

People who share hateful content and use offensive language are a safeguarding issue. Not only will they demoralise your workforce, compromising mental wellbeing and productivity, but their behaviour could escalate into violence. What’s more, they aren’t the best brand representatives!

Thankfully, you can legally disqualify job applicants whose social posts promote sexism, racism, homophobia or any discrimination.

3.   Culture fit

Social media can be an excellent indicator of whether someone would mesh with your existing team. Perhaps, they enjoy similar pastimes? How they communicate with friends and family could offer clues to their behaviour in an organisational setting.

Remember, social posts should gently inform your decision. Holding different political views and going clubbing on the weekend doesn’t equal being a bad employee.

4.   Skills and expertise

Above all else, social media checks highlight skills and experience you might desperately need. You’re looking for positive attributes too, after all.

You could discover an informative and well-written article on LinkedIn, boasting hundreds of likes and shares. Maybe, there’s a colourful Instagram account overflowing with carefully curated photos, suggesting a keen eye for design. Candidates with YouTube channels are often confident public speakers – perfect for customer-facing roles.

The benefits of outsourcing social media background checks

Think social media checks sound easy? Think again. In-house reviews rarely give a complete picture (googling someone’s name isn’t enough), and you could fall into unconscious bias. Simply put, that means making judgements that favour people who look like you or share the same backgrounds, regardless of talent.

In contrast, using a professional service offers an objective and complete assessment of a candidate. What’s more, they’re fully compliant, protecting a person’s most sensitive information alongside your credibility.

Safeguard your interests with an in-depth social media background check

There are no nasty surprises when you choose a social media background check with M19 solutions. Our team has a wealth of experience across all sectors, so you can rest assured your case is in the most capable hands.

You’ll receive a full report outlining employment history, red flags and personal background, allowing you to proceed with confidence or cut ties before things go south.

If you’re ready to safeguard your interests, get in touch today by calling 0161 706 0057. Alternatively, send us an email at info@m19solutions.co.uk.

The post Why You Should Perform Social Media Background Checks appeared first on M19 Solutions.

Of course, the opposite is also true. If your recruitment drive allows just one bad apple to slip through the net, you could face reputational damage, theft of intellectual property or disharmony amongst your workforce. As such, it’s imperative that you know what kind of person you’re dealing with before you bring them into the fold.

This is where an employment background check can be worth its weight in gold. Providing a thorough sweep of an individual’s financial, employment and criminal records, this kind of verification can give you the peace of mind you need to make an informed hiring decision.

What comes up on an employment background check?

You might associate employment background checks with sensitive industries alone, such as healthcare, education or government departments. While it’s true that these areas do require thorough vetting of their potential staff, employment background checks are a valuable tool for business owners operating in any sector.

Depending on the nature of your enterprise, you might wish to delve deeper than simply contacting the references on an applicant’s CV. Doing so could reveal valuable information about their history, such as a criminal record, gaps in employment and any lawsuits against them. It can also offer proof that they are who they say they are and indicate whether they’re likely to be a trustworthy and responsible member of your team.

How is an employment background check done?

When you commission an employment background check from M19 Solutions, you can rest assured you’ll be dealing with the best in the business. Our network of highly trained operatives all have a background in the military or police force, so they know how to handle a case with diligence, discretion and complete confidentiality.

As part of the service we offer, we’ll comb through a person’s demographic data to make sure they are who they claim to be. We’ll thoroughly check their commercial, criminal, employment and fiscal history, as well as their social media activity to determine what kind of character they display in their public and private life. This allows us to discreetly, but comprehensively, put your mind at rest about the employee on your books.

Arrange an employment background check today

Do you want to ensure that you’re hiring the best person for the job? Ability and experience are only part of the package when it comes to sourcing the ideal employee. Honesty, integrity and responsibility are also vital characteristics in finding the right staff for your organisation.

If you’d like to discuss the employment background checks we offer or arrange a free consultation with our team, don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’ll be happy to walk you through your options and answer any questions you might have, guaranteeing reliable results and a positive outcome on every case we undertake. What are you waiting for? Bring your recruitment drive to a positive resolution with an employment background check from M19 Solutions today.

The post What Is an Employment Background Check? appeared first on M19 Solutions.

Designed to take you behind the scenes of your workplace and empower you with information, internal investigations can help solve problems, identify troublemakers and restore workplace cohesion.

Here’s a few signs to look for if you suspect something is amiss in your workplace.

1. Accusations of workplace bullying

As a business owner or manager, it’s your responsibility to maintain a safe and supportive workplace environment. Workplace bullying is not only illegal, but it compromises the performance and mental health of your employees.

The impact can be severe and widespread, affecting not only the victim but also their colleagues as they watch the bullying unfold and struggle over how to deal with it and in some cases, become bullied themselves.

Suspect workplace bullying is occurring in your workplace? Using a meticulous approach and aboveboard methodology, our experienced team of private investigators can help you get the answers you need.

2. Suspected employee misconduct

From serious crimes such as accepting bribes and siphoning money into a private bank account, to smaller offences such as falsifying timesheets and theft of property, misconduct can have a devastating impact on your business.

Signs to look out for include paid invoices that can’t be accounted for, mysterious deposits of cash and timesheets that just don’t add up. As well as compromising the profitability of your business, in some cases misconduct can land you in hot water with the law.

A discreet and carefully managed workplace investigation is one of the most effective ways to identify corrupt employees and end misconduct.

3. Inappropriate behaviour and sexual harassment

Every employee has a right to respect in the workplace. Nothing compromises this more than inappropriate behaviour and sexual harassment, an issue that plagues workplaces across the UK.

A recent report spearheaded by the Everyday Sexism Project and Trades Union Congress (TUC) revealed just how common sexual harassment is, with 52% of women experiencing some form of unwanted sexual behaviours in the workplace.

If you suspect an employee could be experiencing inappropriate behaviour or sexual harassment, it’s critical to listen closely to the allegations and take action before it escalates.

Take action and clean up your workplace

These are just some of the signs an undercover workplace investigation could be necessary. If you suspect something is amiss in your workplace, whether it’s bullying, misconduct, sexual harassment or something else entirely, get in touch today.

At M19 Solutions, we have both male and female private investigators with the skills and experience to identify perpetrators and gather rock-solid evidence. Our undercover investigations team represents a range of ethnic backgrounds and accents, allowing us to handpick private investigators that blend seamlessly into any workplace environment.

The post 3 Signs an Undercover Workplace Investigation is Necessary appeared first on M19 Solutions.

If you suspect an employee may be working while signed off sick, there are several steps you can take to establish your legal position. Factors can vary from case to case so it’s best to do your research and source as much information as possible before confronting the employee and taking action.

Check employee contract

The first step is to check the employee’s contract. Many contracts clearly state employees are not allowed to engage in alternative work while employed by your company or business, regardless of whether they’re receiving sick pay.

Consider work type

Is it illegal to work when signed off sick? In some cases, the type of work being carried out can determine whether an employee can legally claim sick pay for one job and work another. For example, an employee may be declared medically unfit to load and unload trucks due to injury, though is capable of working a desk job. In these sorts of cases the employee may be allowed to legally work a second job while receiving sick pay.

To avoid this scenario, it can be beneficial to offer the employee an alternative job they’re physically capable of doing. This eliminates the financial burden of sick pay and keeps the employee on the payroll.

Can I work if signed off sick?

Can you work if you are signed off sick? As an employee, you’re under no obligation to disclose information about a second job. This statutory right does not change if you become medically unfit to work one job but can continue working in the second role.

What about similar jobs?

Another common query for employees is “If I am signed off sick can I still work?” In most cases it’s illegal to claim sick pay while working a similar role with another employer.

If you find out an employee is working in a similar role while claiming sick pay you could have grounds to launch a fraud or gross misconduct case, giving you the right to immediately dismiss the employee.

You can find out for sure

If you suspect you have grounds for issuing your employee with notice, it’s important to gather as much information as possible before launching your case. Not only will this make the legal process faster, easier and cheaper, backing your case with solid evidence will also eliminate the risk of any unfair dismissal cases in the future.

The best way to determine whether an employee is working while signed off sick is to enlist the help of private surveillance. At M19 solutions we specialise in corporate investigation services and pride ourselves on delivering 100% legal, aboveboard intelligence that stands up in a court of law. Get in touch today!

The post Is It Illegal for Employees to Work Elsewhere When Off Sick? appeared first on M19 Solutions.