Ensuring the safety and security of their workplace is something every employer must prioritize. This is vital for protecting the well-being of all staff members, clients and third parties who deal with the organization and creating a workplace culture where each person feels respected, valued and safe.
The first step towards this goal is to select individuals who are not only suitable for the role but will also align with the overarching values and ethos of a business and contribute positively to its culture. In this article, we will outline three tips employers can implement during the recruitment process to ensure a safe outcome for all involved.
Conduct Background Checks
Thorough background checks should be carried out as part of the screening process for potential hires, especially in environments where children or vulnerable adults are involved. These checks can vary depending on the position but will typically include checks to verify education, employment history, social security number and criminal record. In our digital age, many employers are also conducting social media checks on potential candidates.
By reviewing their profile and overall web presence, employers can get an insight into a candidate’s behavior, views, and other matters which can help them gauge whether they will be a safe and suitable fit for their organization. With pre-employment services such as Triton Canada, employers can carry out criminal record and social media background checks online, within a matter of minutes.
Ask Questions
By asking candidates questions, employers can elicit valuable information that can help them determine their suitability and overall fit for their organization. This can be achieved through face-to-face interview questions or through competency-based quizzes designed to assess specific skills and behaviors. These may include the following questions:
- Why are you leaving your current position?
- How do you believe your colleagues or boss would describe you?
- How would you deal with a difficult customer or colleague?
- Describe a time when you faced a conflict at work. How did you react and resolve the situation?
- How do you handle feedback or constructive criticism?
- Do you have experience working in diverse teams with people with different backgrounds and perspectives?
- How do you handle pressure at work?
These questions can help shed light on a candidate’s attitudes, behaviors and beliefs, enabling employers to make safer and more effective recruitment choices that reflect the values and culture of their organization.
Promote Diversity and Inclusion
The importance of diversity and inclusion is now well-recognized by employers and ranges from improved engagement and decision-making to increased performance. In addition to promoting diversity and inclusion in recruitment efforts, employers should also seek to mention their commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices throughout the hiring process.
By doing so, they can help weed out candidates who hold biases or do not share the values and mindset they wish to uphold in their workplace culture. This approach ensures that only those candidates who align with their DEI expectations are hired, helping to create a more respectful and safe environment for all to work.
By putting these tips into practice, employers can feel confident in their recruitment efforts, knowing they are creating a workplace culture where all employees feel safe, respected and encouraged to give their best.