Life is like a game of chess, a wrong move can be lethal in the blink of an eye. The same can be true about a recent robbery case at  Gulshan-e-Maymar in Karachi, Pakistan.

As a common practice, numerous households persist in hiring drivers and domestic servants based on familiarity and acquaintance references, without verifying their documentation and conducting criminal record background screening. This devastating practice has led to many crimes, be it theft, burglary, or even murder in a few cases.

With more and more cases being reported, employers need to check their employee's criminal history and get it verified. This background verification allows them to build a bond of trust, later avoiding conflicts.

Index Background of the Incident Lack of Background Screening The Importance of Background Verification How Background Screening Can Help Difference between Blue Collar & White Collar Employee Verification Conclusion  FAQs

 

The Gulshan-e-Maymar Robbery: A Case Study

Background of the Incident

In the hubbub of urban activities, the residents of Gulshan-e-Maymar were taken aback, when a break-in was witnessed in broad daylight. It happened so that a group of armed men stormed into a prominent residence, holding the family at gunpoint while ransacking their belongings.

Fortunately, swift police action led to the captivity of the criminals on the spot. But, what unfolded next sent shockwaves through the community. It was later learned after thorough police interrogation that the robber was the cousin brother of their recently hired driver.

The connection between the robber and the driver was firmly established during the investigation. It was found that the driver had breached the laws by which he was bound as an employee, providing his cousin with his employee’s address and details of his belongings. This breach also led to the driver letting his cousin into the house and attempting to rob his employers.

Lack of Background Screening

With all the hustle and bustle circulating the incident, the family later regretted hiring the driver without any background verification. If they had performed a background screening on the driver before employing him, they would have discovered stories about similar events or a list of such alleged ‘relatives’ of the driver giving them an upper hand when hiring employees.

The need for background screening in Pakistan cannot be overstated. Employers need to understand the crucial importance of background screening especially when appointing domestic staff who have access to their homes and loved ones.  There are no precise estimates of the total number of domestic workers in the country, however, according to a study, every fourth household in  Pakistan hires a domestic worker, and the majority are hired based on mere familiarity or word of mouth. Such decisions have landed families in greater losses not only for the employer but other loyal employees too.

The Importance of Background Verification

What is the role of background screening in overcoming such incidents of violence? Background screening is a verification process, where the name, credentials, past work experiences, and other professional and personal details of the potential candidate are verified, assuring the employee about their credibility.

Once a background check is established, it allows informed hiring decisions. If a potential employee has ties to criminal activity, any discrepancies in employment history, or false identification, it will come up in the background screening process.

Thus, thorough background screening equips employees to make confident decisions. This also protects employers and their families, especially when catering to domestic staff, such as drivers and maids, who directly interact with their families and homes.

How Background Screening Can Help

“We’ve found many cases of thefts involving domestic servants, and in most of these cases, either identity cards are fake or were not available because they weren’t verified before hiring,”
Deputy Inspector General of Police Javed Akbar

Domestic staff being involved in criminal instances has been a timeless narrative. With police records piled with such cases, it would be quite naive to not believe it. It’s the need of the hour to trust in a solution that not only works for the employers but for the employees too.

Before hiring a potential domestic employee, various types of background screening are essential. Conducting criminal record checks, employment verification, and domestic staff background checks can help prevent unfortunate incidents. Additionally, tailored screenings for specific roles such as nannies, drivers, and housekeepers further ensure safety and compatibility.

• Criminal Record Checks:
  A comprehensive background check which includes searching for any criminal history associated with the employee. This can help in identifying any ‘alleged’ relative or previous criminal record too.
  
  
• Employment Verification:
  Verifies past employment, ensuring that potential employees have the experience they claim. It may help in locating any red flags too, by identifying discrepancies in the candidates' credentials. 
  
  
• Domestic Staff Background Checks:
  Tailored background screening for domestic workers, focusing on their suitability for the specific role. This type of screening especially caters to maids, drivers, nannies,  watchmen, and other such workforce who aid in running a household.
  
  
• Blue Collar Employee Verification:
  Focuses on work experience, vocational training, and technical skills. Checks may include criminal background verifications, reference checks, and confirmation of work history and certifications. Essential checks comprise identity and address verification, as well as criminal record checks.
  

Difference between Blue Collar & White Collar Employee Verification

When it comes to employment, individuals are often categorized into two primary groups: blue-collar and white-collar employees. Blue-collar workers cater to physically demanding roles involving manual labour, like construction, manufacturing, domestic help, agriculture, mining, or maintenance. On the contrary, white-collar employees typically hold administrative or professional positions with desk-based tasks in office settings. While both categories contribute significantly to organizations, the process of background verification for each differs notably.

Blue-collar employees are usually paid hourly wages and perform jobs requiring manual labour, often in fields such as construction, manufacturing, domestic help, and transportation. They may not hold a college degree but operate in physically demanding environments. On the other hand, white-collar employees, are salaried professionals engaged in sectors like finance, healthcare, or technology. They possess college degrees and work in office environments.

The distinction between these employee groups goes beyond their job roles and compensation structures. They carry connotations related to social status, education, and personal values. However, it's essential to recognize that these boundaries can blur in many roles.

Conclusion

We can see that the families of those who don’t do a proper investigation and hire a domestic helper because someone recommended them, or they have heard good things from others are in danger of being let down. Domestic staff don't stand at a distance, they know everything about family affairs inside out. Thus, there is a need for a strict background pre-employment screening that is simple and efficient.

If you are hiring domestic staff without verifying them, you are inviting unfortunate events to your doorstep and endangering your family. Such mistakes may be a small step but as in the game of chess, could lead you to greater losses.

Thus, be smart and play safe by connecting with Check Xperts, a leading background verification service provider. They have expertise in conducting background verification for blue-collar and white-collar employees, empowering you in making informed hiring decisions.

FAQs

1. Can we do background check on blue-collar employees?
   Yes, background checks can be conducted on blue-collar employees. These checks focus on verifying work experience, technical skills, and criminal history. They help employers ensure the reliability and integrity of their workforce.
   
   
2. Does background screening reveal their criminal record?
   Yes, a comprehensive background check can reveal an individual's criminal record. This includes any past convictions, pending charges, or criminal history that may affect their suitability for the job.
   
   
3. How long does it take to run a background check on blue-collar staff?
   The time it takes to run a background check on blue-collar staff can vary depending on the depth and scope of the check. Generally, a standard background check may take a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on factors such as the availability of records and the complexity of the check.
   
   
4. What is the difference between blue-collar and white-collar employee verification?
   The primary difference between blue-collar and white-collar employee verification is the focus of the checks. Blue-collar verification centres on work experience, technical skills, and criminal history, while white-collar verification emphasizes professional qualifications, education, and employment history.