The false information provided can be with regard to the dates of employment, the positions held and responsibilities being exaggerated and even to fictitious employers being listed. Why should applicants find it necessary to tell these lies? There are many possibilities why applicants should find it necessary to lie in order to secure a job. Let’s have a look at some possibilities.

A major reason for falsifying dates of employment is to hide periods of unemployment. This can take the form of falsely extending the period of employment with a specific employer to hide a period of imprisonment. This is a common way of hiding this, and it is understandable since most employers do not employ ex convicts. On the other hand, it could be due to an employee being fired for some reason or other, such as theft or violence that should not be revealed to a subsequent employer. There is an irresistible temptation to hide this in a resume and interview.

The reason for leaving one job can be falsified, and the history of employment can show the next position to be found immediately, so the applicant can state that the job change was deliberate, either due to a change of address from one state to another, or for advancement. Both reasons are frequently given when this type of falsification is carried out. If an investigation shows only when each employee finished working for each employer, the lie will not be revealed. Only full employment history verification will reveal this.

In such cases the resume seems genuine and the applicant is generally believable during the interview. They will, after all, have had plenty of practice at perfecting their story. Sometimes only a professional is able to ferret out the real truth, and companies paying for a full employee background check to be carried out, including employment history verification, will be taking the safest and best route. Professionals will interview previous employers, either by telephone or personally, and generally get to the truth.

There are reasons for falsifying the position held and level of responsibility, which frequently relate to the requirements of the position on offer. If a certain amount of previous experience in management is required for the job offered, there are those that will falsify the seniority of their previous post. This occurs at all levels. The same reasons apply for employer listings being fictitious: either to cover an unexplained period of unemployment or a period of imprisonment.

An effective employment history verification is essential to ensure that the employer is not guilty of negligent employment in the event of an employee, or anyone else, being harmed through the employment of someone where the problem could have been foreseen. If it cannot be demonstrated that effective employee screening has been carried out, then the employer could be liable for damages. These can be considerable, and have been known to ruin companies and individuals, so all that can be done should be done to make sure that you do competently what the law requires you to do.

A telephone interview with a previous employer should suffice, though it would be better if this were recorded with the other party’s permission. Otherwise, written confirmation of periods of employment will be required from previous employers of the applicant. You should also request details of the positions held, and provide that your candidates must sign relevant release of information forms to facilitate this. This in itself might deter some people from applying.

If, for any reason, the employee fails to sign the release of information form, or a previous employer refuses to provide the required information, then you should regard the application as suspect and refuse it. Your own position and the safety of your employees are more important that taking a chance on an applicant.

Adequate history employment verification must be carried out – that is the long and the short of it, and there is no excuse acceptable for you failing to do this when vetting job applications. Full employment history verification is essential so make sure that it is carried out suitably and sufficiently.