Most employers understand the importance of pre‑employment background checks. But what happens after an employee is hired?
Today, more organizations are adding post‑hire screening, periodic background checks on current employees, to protect workplace safety, maintain compliance, and reduce long‑term risk.

This isn’t about mistrusting your team. It’s about staying informed and ensuring that the people representing your company continue to meet the same standards you required when they first joined.

Why Post‑Hire Screening Is on the Rise

Several factors are driving the shift toward ongoing employee screening:

Changing Roles & Responsibilities: Employees may move into sensitive positions after they’re hired.
Regulatory Requirements: Certain industries, like healthcare, education, and transportation, require periodic checks by law.
Emerging Risks: Criminal charges, license suspensions, or other issues can arise after the hiring date.
Public Safety & Reputation: An incident involving an employee can impact customer trust and brand image.

What Post‑Hire Screening Looks For

A post‑hire screening program is tailored to the role and industry, but it often includes:

Criminal Record Checks- Identifying any new convictions since hire.
Driving Record Reviews- Detecting recent violations or suspensions for driving-related positions.
License & Certification Verification- Confirming that credentials are still valid and in good standing.
Drug & Alcohol Testing- Meeting safety requirements for regulated or high‑risk roles.
Security Clearance or Compliance Checks- For roles with government or sensitive data access.

Best Practices for Implementing Post‑Hire Screening

Define a Clear Policy: Outline when and how post‑hire checks are conducted.
Be Consistent: Apply the policy equally across similar job categories.
Follow FCRA Guidelines: Provide notice, get consent, and follow proper adverse action procedures if needed.
Respect Privacy: Keep screening relevant to the role and avoid unnecessary intrusion.
Communicate Openly: Let employees know the purpose is workplace safety, not surveillance.

Benefits of Ongoing Screening

Enhanced Workplace Safety- Reducing risks before they impact operations.
Regulatory Compliance- Meeting industry‑specific legal requirements.
Reputation Protection- Avoiding high‑profile incidents that damage trust.
Reduced Liability- Lowering exposure to negligent retention claims.

A clean background check at hire doesn’t guarantee a clean record for years to come. Post‑hire screening gives businesses the tools to stay informed and proactive.
By making ongoing screening part of your workplace safety strategy, you can protect your employees, customers, and reputation while demonstrating your commitment to a safe and compliant workplace.

Swailes Background Check works with businesses to design post‑hire screening programs that are thorough, compliant, and respectful of your team members.

Need Help with Background Checks or Compliance?

Whether you’re hiring new talent or updating your screening processes, the Swailes Background Check team is here to help. From criminal background checks and FCRA compliance to drug testing, employment and education verifications, MVR reports, credit history reviews, and Social Security number validation, we provide fast enrollment and expert support every step of the way.

Contact us today to streamline your screening process with confidence.