{"id":1329,"date":"2023-08-03T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-08-03T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/knowledge\/staff\/background-check-for-employment\/"},"modified":"2025-05-22T13:13:44","modified_gmt":"2025-05-22T13:13:44","slug":"background-check-for-employment","status":"publish","type":"knowledge","link":"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/knowledge\/staff\/background-check-for-employment\/","title":{"rendered":"Background checks for employment \u2013 a small business guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

Taking the big step to grow your business and hire new employees can be difficult. From attracting the right candidates to managing the onboarding process, there\u2019s a lot to think about.<\/p>\n\n

Despite the many benefits of growing your team, it can always feel like a risk when you bring on someone new. Background checks can be a great way to ease those fears and make sure you\u2019re bringing the right people into the fold.<\/p>\n\n

But from health checks for trades to criminal background checks, what are the types of checks you can request? And when are they a legal requirement? Read on to find out more.<\/p>\n\n

What is a background check?<\/h2>\n\n

A background check is used to make sure an individual is the right fit for the role \u2013 and won\u2019t cause a risk to the business. Background checks are part of your due diligence as an employer, so it\u2019s important to make sure the right checks are completed before you fully onboard a new member of staff.<\/p>\n\n

Almost all roles now need some form of background check. Depending on the role, this could be anything from a criminal background check to double checking an employee reference. Specific roles, such as drivers, may also need certain health checks, which can protect both the employer and the employee.<\/p>\n\n

You\u2019ll usually complete a background check towards the end of the onboarding process<\/a>. However, you might choose to do this before you\u2019ve even offered the role.<\/p>\n\n

Keep reading to learn about the different types of UK background checks and what you\u2019ll learn from them.<\/p>\n\n

What does a background check show?<\/h2>\n\n

Background checks can reveal many things. Below we\u2019ve listed some of the types of background checks you can complete as an employer in the UK.<\/p>\n\n

Right to work checks<\/h3>\n\n

One of the first things you need to check is that your candidates have the right to work in the UK. As an employer, you have a legal responsibility to prevent anyone from working illegally in the country.<\/p>\n\n

You\u2019ll need to check your applicant\u2019s original documents \u2013 preferably in person. For British and Irish citizens, you can also use an identity service provider to check their right to work. For non-British and non-Irish citizens, you\u2019ll need to complete a Home Office online right to work check.<\/p>\n\n

It\u2019s important to complete this step as you can be fined if you can\u2019t prove you checked an employee\u2019s right to work in the UK. Find out more about completing a right to work check<\/a> in our detailed guide.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Employee reference checks<\/h3>\n\n

Most employers also choose to check employee references. These checks are a great way to make sure potential employees aren\u2019t exaggerating their skills or employment history.<\/p>\n\n

You can ask your candidate to supply references during the application process, but it\u2019s not a legal requirement for a previous employer to provide one. These references can be long and detailed, or very short. If a former employer is obligated to provide a reference, the only details it needs to include are:<\/p>\n\n