Understanding pre employment screening policy

Hiring new employees involves more than reviewing résumés and conducting interviews. A structured pre employment screening policy helps you make smart hiring decisions and meet legal obligations from the start. It forms the foundation for secure, transparent, and compliant recruitment.

What is pre employment screening?

Pre employment screening is the process of verifying a candidate’s background before making a hiring decision. It aims to confirm their identity and qualifications and assess potential risks such as fraud or mismatches.

Types of pre employment screening

Every organization has unique hiring needs. Depending on the role, industry, and risk level, screening can take different forms.

Background checks help businesses verify a candidate’s personal and professional history, ensuring every hire is trustworthy and fit for the role.

Pre-employment checks offer insight into past employment, qualifications, and reputation, helping employers make confident, evidence-based hiring decisions.

International background checks support global recruitment by verifying information across borders, giving organizations peace of mind when hiring internationally.

Pescheck provides all these types of checks through a secure, digital platform, ensuring each screening process is compliant and fully tailored to your needs.

Benefits of having a pre employment screening policy

A well-designed employee screening policy benefits every layer of your organization. It helps you reduce the risk of hiring candidates who may not be trustworthy or qualified, protecting your internal processes and company reputation. 

It also ensures you comply with relevant laws and regulations, which is especially important in sectors like finance, healthcare, or government. Moreover, it contributes to a culture of transparency and safety, showing both clients and team members that integrity matters.

Having a consistent screening process in place also improves fairness and objectivity in hiring. Every candidate is assessed in the same structured way, reducing the impact of bias and making the process more transparent and defensible.

The checks of a good employee screening policy

An effective screening policy includes a combination of standard and function-specific checks. The most commonly used and valuable ones are:

1. Verification of identity: Confirming the candidate’s identity using official data sources.
2. Check for listing on international PEP and sanctions lists: Screening for associations with money laundering, terrorism, or other high-risk activities.
3. Certificate of Good Conduct (NL): Ensuring there’s no criminal record that conflicts with the role.
4. Criminal record checks (international): Providing insight into a candidate’s legal history abroad.
5. Adverse media screening: Reviewing public sources for reputational risks.
6. Data check (NL): Verifying address history, property ownership, or Chamber of Commerce registrations.
7. Qualification and diploma check: Confirming that educational and professional credentials are valid.
8. Driving license check (NL): Ensuring the candidate has a valid license for roles where driving is required.
9. Credit check (national/international): Evaluating financial responsibility when relevant to the role.
10. Reference/CV check: Contacting previous employers to confirm experience and reliability.

These checks can be adjusted depending on what’s required for a specific position. This ensures that screening is both relevant and proportionate.

Integrity statement and declaration of consent

A thorough screening policy also includes an integrity statement and a declaration of consent. The integrity statement captures a candidate’s self-declared conduct and reliability, forming part of the official screening record. The declaration of consent is required under privacy legislation such as the GDPR, ensuring the candidate understands what data is collected and why.

At Pescheck, transparency and data protection are central to every screening process. We collect only the information necessary for the role, safeguard it with advanced encryption, and ensure candidates are informed and involved at every stage.

With a structured and compliant employment screening policy in place, you make hiring safer, smarter, and future-proof. Pescheck offers digital, GDPR-compliant solutions that simplify every step of the process, from verification to reporting. 

Want to make screening easier? Request a demo or contact us to learn how Pescheck can support your organization with secure, efficient background checks.