Understanding "Found" in Offer Letters: What HR Background Checks Involve and How Long They Take

Looking for your help!

What does it mean "found," usually written on the offer letter or Letter of Intent?

The offer is valid subject to background HR verification. What steps does the background verification include, and what is the normal turnaround time?

Thanks in advance!

Sandy

Hello Sandy,

Almost all firms conduct a thorough verification of their shortlisted candidates. This includes cross-checking the information provided by the candidate about his/her educational qualifications, previous jobs, and also if the candidate has any criminal background. Some firms do it by themselves, but mostly larger firms outsource it to third-party agencies who will conduct the verification on the firm's behalf.

In case any discrepancies are found, the offer given to the candidate is liable to be withdrawn by the firm.

Hope this answers your question.

Regards,
Mahesh

Thank you, Mahesh, for the good info.

Hi Sandy,

Just adding a few more points. As mentioned earlier, verification is done to determine whether the information provided by the candidate in an interview and an Application Blank is true, and the candidate is not fooling the company by providing false work experience, qualifications, etc., to secure the job. The detailed verification process may take anywhere between 10 days to 1 or even 2 months. This duration depends on the volume of new hires and whether the company conducts the verification in-house or outsources it. Even if it is discovered post joining that the information provided is false, employment is terminated immediately.

Allow me to clarify the importance of background checks. As per ISO 27001 (information security management) and ISO 28001 (supply chain management), background checks are one of the 127 crucial components. CTPAT (Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism) by US Customs and Border Protection clears cargo of approved supply chain players with almost negligible checks, and the vendor saves 21 days.

Now the question arises as to what level the background check needs to be done. The finest approach involves tracing an individual's footprints right from the place of birth, neighborhood, school, college, and so on. However, inhibiting factors like time and cost come into play. The correct answer depends solely on the level of security management you require.

Some rudimentary types of checks include servant verification forms and tenant verification forms, both of which are completed free of charge by the police department. Please let me know if you need further assistance.

Suryavrat