Friday 25 January 2013

Services And Benefits Offered By Background Investigation Companies

By Dorothy Hurley


Ahmed, the young owner of several construction companies, is interested in employing a top level executive for one of his firms. On his shortlist are three people who seem suited to the position. Before making a final decision, he contracts a private investigator to find out everything about the threesome. No this is not the synopsis for a new Entrepreneur show, but one of the actual cases that background investigation companies handle each day.

These investigators handle cases from diverse clientele; spouses who suspect their mates of cheating, headhunters interested in a potential employees background, governments checking up on an alleged terrorist among others. These services were once so expensive that only wealthy individuals, companies and governments could afford them. Fees have fallen steeply, however, and almost anybody can afford to hire a private investigator.

Apart from investigations, these firms also offer other services. One of the most important is a fingerprint matching service, which is of great value to law enforcement agencies. They also provide training to individual and corporate clients. Some have even branched out into providing security, an important service in an age where terrorist groups and Somali pirates seem to kidnap with abandon. They will also litigation support for clients who are involved in court cases.

Taking the time to investigate someone's upbringing is not paranoid, as some people think, but very beneficial. For instance, consider a company where employees have access to valuable property or critical information; hiring indiscriminately would be dangerous. Screening helps weed out unsavoury characters. In some countries, it is mandatory to screen employees, particularly if they are foreigners.

Investigating someone's upbringing also promotes safety. The process can weed out those with a history of violence, sexual harassment and so on. Organizations can also verify the qualifications and experience of anyone they intend to hire. After all, it is not unusual for people to lie in their resumes. In the long term, this will save a company money, as replacing employees can be expensive, and it can also avoid hiring those with a history of poor performance and absenteeism.

Woe to the organization that hires people without checking their backgrounds. If something goes wrong, the company may find itself at the wrong side of the law. In an age where information can move around the world in seconds, the company may also have to battle negative public opinion. This may even affect an organization's bottom line in cases where consumers choose to reject its products or services as a way of showing their displeasure.

It is not just organizations that can benefit from this process; individuals can too. Think of all those who, blinded by love, have given up confidential information, been violated, or lost their lives. Such problems can be avoided by checking up on a lover's history.

The skills of background investigation companies are a must for anyone planning business deals, particularly those that mix a lot of money with unfamiliar business partners. Parents who are worried about the kind of company that their kids keep can also pass by the offices of their favorite private investigator. In certain cases, the process can be abused and lead to concerns about privacy. However, screening firms work within the law to ensure that everything they do is above board.




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