Extreme vetting

Naim Maadad, CEO of Dubaibased Gates Hospitality, explains why a reference check is vital for hiring the right candidate

No surprises!

A business’s reputation is an uncompromising philosophy that needs to be safeguarded at all times across the sectors, including in culinary ventures. Human capital is vital for protecting the reputation that a company has built and, in this way, reference checks can play a crucial role in the modern world. Every establishment needs to ensure that the people hired and brought in are known. A background check on character, attitude and recommended skills helps to prevent unwanted surprises down the road. The positives of such an exercise undoubtedly greatly outweigh the inconveniences. Conducting a reference check before hiring a candidate saves the business from risks which could otherwise be concealed. Such an exercise does, admittedly, carry some risks, but an increasing number of small business owners are looking at these processes as a frontline defense against potential problems that could arise once a new employee is hired.

The benefits

There are several direct positives to be gained from conducting a reference check.

1. They include increasing the likelihood of ensuring that only a high quality and suitable caliber of employees join the team.

2. A clean background check could also indicate whether an applicant is trustworthy, reliable and responsible and likely to drive forward the ethics of the business.

3. A clean reference check could help to predict job performance and minimize the likelihood of termination due to an improper selection process.

4. Pre-employment background checks often discourage applications from individuals who have something to hide.

5. They are an ideal way of increasing an employer’s ability to provide a safe working environment and may decrease instances of workplace unruliness.

6. They may enhance an employer’s ability to minimize theft losses as a result of employee dishonesty.

7. They may potentially increase an employer’s ability to avoid negative publicity, should an employee’s actions or history become public.

Disadvantages

There are only a few disadvantages associated with reference checks, one of which is the cost. There is no way to avoid the cost, time and manpower necessary to request and review a thorough background check. Another possible problem is inaccuracy. If the information in the background check report is incorrect, it could potentially lead to a good candidate being disqualified or, conversely, permit the hiring of an undesirable candidate. Preemployment background checks cannot always indicate whether an individual with a problematic past has since reformed and is now qualified for the job. Additionally, in some cases, employee morale could be negatively affected if staff views a policy of conducting background checks as an invasion of their privacy.

5 key practical tips for conducting reference checks

1. Have a system in place to grade incoming CVS, so that an assessment of a candidate’s suitability for a position can be duly rated.

2. If feasible and opportunity permits, arrange a trial shift to gauge the aptitude, attitude and body language of the candidate in the workplace, especially for frontline team member positions where guesthandling skills are needed.

3. Reference checks should be done beforehand, don’t rely only on the names given on a candidate’s CV, but also call discreetly to obtain more detailed feedback from non-listed referees. This will help you to gain unbiased reference feedback.

4. Depending on where you are, use networks and official sources, such as banks and medical insurance, to see if there is any adverse history background relating to the candidate.

5. Ideally, aim to have in your possession multiple tier reference checks to ensure 360 degree feedback from a subordinate, a peer and a manager.