As global companies continue to expand their workforce across borders, the rise of Employer of Record (EOR) services has simplified the process of hiring employees in foreign markets like India. Hiring through an EOR allows businesses to onboard talent quickly and efficiently while ensuring legal compliance. However, with the increased access to remote and global talent, ensuring the right background verification is conducted is critical to safeguarding the organization’s reputation and operational integrity.
In this blog, we explore the key background checks available for companies hiring through an EOR and why they are essential for compliance and risk management.
1. Employment Verification
One of the most important checks that EORs conduct is employment verification. This process involves validating the work history of a candidate, ensuring that the information provided by the applicant matches their previous employment records. This check helps organizations confirm that candidates have the required skills and experience for the role.
Employment verification may also include confirming the candidate’s role, job responsibilities, and duration of employment with previous employers.
2. Educational Qualification Verification
To ensure that potential hires are qualified for their positions, EORs also perform education qualification verifications. This check involves validating the educational degrees and certifications claimed by the candidate. For positions where specific degrees or qualifications are necessary, this verification is a crucial step to avoid misrepresentation and ensure that the candidate has the right academic background.
3. Criminal Background Check
In countries like India, a criminal record check is commonly performed. This background check ensures that the candidate does not have any criminal history that could pose a risk to the company’s operations or its employees.
While some companies may focus on checking records for violent crimes or financial offenses, others might look into minor offenses, depending on the industry and role.
4. Compliance with Local Regulations
Since EORs help companies navigate the complexities of different countries’ labor laws, it is essential to follow local compliance requirements. This involves adhering to specific regulations regarding background checks based on the country’s labor laws. For example, the background verification process in India may differ from that in other countries based on the legal framework, privacy concerns, and industry-specific regulations.
5. Soft Skills and Social Media Check
Some EORs also go a step further to assess a candidate’s soft skills by examining their interactions with peers, superiors, and clients. This check provides an insight into the candidate's personality, work ethic, and cultural fit within the organization.
Additionally, social media verification is gaining popularity as an added layer of assessment. It involves reviewing a candidate’s online presence to identify potential risks or align with company values. This check helps employers understand how candidates present themselves in the public domain.
6. Drug Testing
For specific roles or industries, drug testing is an essential verification process. This is typically done to ensure that candidates are fit for work and comply with the company’s drug-free workplace policy. Drug testing may vary by industry and location but is a necessary step to maintain a safe working environment.
7. Global Compliance Standards
When hiring across borders, organizations must be aware that different countries have unique compliance requirements related to background checks. An EOR can help companies understand and implement the correct processes depending on the location of their hires. This ensures that the hiring process aligns with local laws while reducing the risk of non-compliance.
Conclusion
Background verification (BGV) is an essential part of the hiring process, especially when hiring through an Employer of Record (EOR). The checks mentioned above help mitigate risks associated with fraudulent information, non-compliance, and potential security threats. For businesses looking to expand their global workforce while maintaining a high standard of recruitment, these background checks offer essential protection.
To learn more about hiring and compliance through EOR services, check out our YouTube video featuring Yashwanth from Springworks, along with our founder Navin Rungta, as they discuss key strategies for global hiring.