Running a retail business is no walk in the park. And neither is recruitment. In fact, the sector’s average staff turnover rate was estimated to be over 50% in 2023!
That said, recruitment is at the top of the agenda for many retail business owners and managers, which will require swift action to keep their business running smoothly.
However, with speed often comes mistakes. And it’s not uncommon for businesses to get recruitment wrong when they’re in a rush. Fortunately, there is a way for retail leaders to streamline their recruitment process, and it comes in the form of background checks.
Why are background checks important for retail workers?
Background checks help to verify information provided by a candidate. It plays an essential part in ensuring you’ve fulfilled your legal obligations as an employer.
There are a variety of pre-employment checks that are available to retail businesses, including…
DBS Checks
The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) provides DBS Checks to enable employers to check prospective employees’ criminal history.
There are three levels of check: Basic, Standard and Enhanced. The three levels have different eligibility requirements and reveal different information about the applicant.
If a candidate has applied for a role where they’ll be working alone with children or vulnerable adults, they’ll require an Enhanced DBS Check. But even if their role requires them to access sensitive information or work closely with vulnerable groups, it’s crucial to know whether they’re suitable for this type of work.
Right to Work Checks
Right to Work Checks are another essential part of the recruitment process, enabling your retail business to verify that candidates are eligible to work in the UK.
You must check the applicable documents – for example, a passport or visa – to establish whether a prospective employee has a time-limited or permanent right to work.
You’re required to do this before employing any person to make sure they are legally allowed to do the work in question.
You should never make assumptions about a person’s eligibility to work in the UK or their immigration status. As an employer, it’s your responsibility to carry out checks on all prospective employees.
Failing to conduct a Right to Work Check puts you at risk of being fined by the Home Office. If this happens, you’ll get a ‘referral notice’ to let you know your case is being considered and that you might have to pay a civil penalty (fine) of up to £45,000 for each illegal worker.
Identity Checks
Identity Checks are a type of electronic identification check designed to verify a candidate’s identity.
Candidates don’t always tell the truth in their interviews, and, in some cases, they might even lie about who they are.
With that in mind, identity checking is a crucial part of the recruitment process. An identity check can help protect your retail business from fraud and give you an extra level of confidence in those that are working for you.
Adverse Credit Checks
An Adverse Credit Check will reveal any serious adverse credit history the applicant has.
‘Adverse credit’ refers to any late or non-payment on a person’s credit history. The following types of adverse credit will show up on a financial probity check:
- Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs)
- County Court Judgements (CCJs)
- Bankruptcy
Adverse Credit Checks are a great way to ease any potential worries over staff fraud or dishonesty. For example, an employee who is shown to be economically vulnerable could be more open to accepting bribes or stealing, which could put your retail business at risk.
You’re better off with uCheck
Here at uCheck, we’ve made background checks simple for over 30,000 organisations just like yours. From our range of DBS and Right to Work Checks to Adverse Credit and Identity Checks, we can help you confidently recruit the best talent at lightning-fast speed!
By working with us to help manage your background check needs, your business could benefit from:
- Extra time on the clock with the speediest pre-employment checks
- More bang for your buck by only paying for the checks you need
- A support team that’s by your side and ready for anything
Ready to get started? We’re ready when you are. Sign up today!
