Hiring · HR glossary

Background Investigation

A background investigation is a structured examination of information relevant to a person's suitability or eligibility for a role. It can be broader than verifying a single qualification or employment date.

Example

For a role with justified security requirements, an authorised process reviews specified records and resolves discrepancies before a decision is made.

What to keep in mind

Set a lawful, proportionate scope and use reliable sources. Do not collect unrelated personal information or treat an unresolved record as established wrongdoing without appropriate verification and response procedures.

Further reading

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