Coaches Corner: Why it's important to screen candidates fairly and sensitively

Vetting employees is a crucial part of the hiring process, especially with the rise in fraud and illegal immigration, which are putting employers are under increasing pressure to screen employees thoroughly.

In a report by BBC News, Simon Bichara, Founder of HiredByMe, told the publication: "It can take two or three weeks for a recruiter to find a suitable candidate then perhaps the same time again to go through all the background checks - it's the grit in the machine.”

With the increased importance in going through criminal and credit records, bankruptcies, and any career gaps we spoke to Melanie Pearl, Employment Advisor at Work Avenue and Career Coach, about how to eliminate any issues with screening.

She tells us: “Employers check passports and other identification documents but are not trained to spot a fake identity. References have decreased in value since they give very little information with employers fearing legal comeback.