The Benefits of Running Social Media Checks Alongside a DBS

Be Sure of Who You’re Hiring: Running Social Media and DBS Checks Simultaneously

You may think that putting your employees through a DBS check is thorough enough to be satisfied that the person you’re employing is suitable for the role, and yes, ultimately conducting DBS checks is the right thing to do. But how much do you really know about the person you’re hiring? Social media has become an integral part of our lives, we share everything on social media, from our career achievements, personal achievements to thoughts and opinions. Read on to learn more about why conducting social media checks could provide you a better insight into the person you’re really hiring...

Social media checks will show a candidate’s digital footprint on social platforms to assess their online behaviour and to raise potential risks. These checks may reveal:

• Integrity: How candidates present themselves online, including how they interact with others, as well as the type of content they choose to share or comment on can provide you with a good indication of their professionalism.
• Reliability: Compares information provided on their CV or application form against the details shared online.
• Behavioural Patterns: Posts that show signs of aggressive, discriminatory, or inappropriate behaviour can indicate a person who will not be appropriate for your organisation and the role in which they have applied.

Although these checks benefit many industries, they become even more important when the role requires a candidate to deal with sensitive information or vulnerable groups of people. The safety of both cannot be overstated, which is why, ensuring all the right measures are in place is key.

Reducing the Risk of Making the Wrong Hire

Although these checks benefit many industries, they become even more important when the role requires a candidate to deal with sensitive information or vulnerable groups of people. The safety of both cannot be overstated, which is why, ensuring all the right measures are in place is so important. While conducting DBS checks is an element of pre-employment screening that should not be overlooked, it will only show legally documented offences. This is where social media checks can provide an added layer of protection against making the wrong hire, as unlike a DBS check they could show up:

• Violent tendencies, discrimination, or substance abuse issues might not appear on a DBS report. Identifying this behaviour early can help prevent workplace incidents and maintain a safe work environment.
• Affiliations or activities on their social media that violate company policies which could cause a conflict of interest.

Getting the Right Cultural Fit

Another benefit to introducing social media checks as part of your onboarding process is the ability to get to know the candidate from a different perspective and to get an understanding of whether they fit with your company’s culture and the overall ethos your company stands by. You will get a glimpse into the person’s interests, hobbies and overall personality.

• Compatibility: Provides a better understanding of whether the candidate’s values align with those of the company. For instance, someone who participates in community service would make a great fit for a company that values corporate social responsibility.
• Communication: The ability to observe how candidates interact with others on platforms like LinkedIn or Twitter can give you an idea of their communication style and professionalism, both of which are important for roles involving teamwork or client interaction.

Reducing the Risk of Reputational Damage

Employing someone who’s behaviour goes against your company’s values could potentially cause damage to your reputation. Particularly on platforms such as LinkedIn and Twitter which are predominately used for business purposes, a single post or comment could be enough to harm the company’s image.

• Brand Integrity: For candidates going into customer facing roles, it’s important that they represent the company’s image positively.
• Liability Issues: With employers holding the accountability for the actions of their staff, being able to understand their candidate’s behaviour ensures that the company isn’t at risk of being potentially liable for inappropriate conduct.

A Holistic Approach to Hiring

Conducting DBS checks alongside social media checks provides a holistic view of potential new hires. While DBS checks remain essential, social media checks offer a valuable layer of protection. Together, they create a thorough pre-employment screening process that not only mitigates risk but also ensures candidates align with company values and culture.