Social media has become an integral part of daily life for many people who rely on it for news, communication with friends and family, and as a source of entertainment. However, social media can also be misused in negative ways, including:
Spreading misinformation
Hate speech
Cybercrime
Reputation damage
Stalking and harassment
Propaganda and manipulation
Illegal activities.
For employers, it is important to be aware of the social media background of employees in order to protect your reputation. Social media screening continues to be increasingly recommended. According to research by YouGov, only 20% of employers at large organisations say they would not screen a candidate's social media accounts as part of their recruitment and onboarding process.
What Exactly is a Social Media Background Check?
A social media background check is a process that reviews a candidate's online activities across a wide range of social media platforms to help identify any adverse use as described above.
The check complements the range of standard and regulatory background checks, from CV screening and references, to ID, criminal record and compliance checks. Undertaking a social media check enhances the opportunity to reduce risk to your brand and reputation as well as flagging behaviours that could breach confidentiality and data security.
The Role of Social Media Screening in the Financial Sector
In the financial sector, thorough due diligence is essential. Conducting social media background checks has become an increasingly important aspect of pre-employment and on-going staff screening and is therefore now becoming more common practice. Social media screening provides a comprehensive view of a candidate's online presence, uncovering information that could be critical in determining their suitability for high-trust financial roles.
As firms are dealing with sensitive information, they need to be reassured that the individuals they are hiring can demonstrate trustworthiness and integrity - non-negotiable traits for employees.
Security Concerns: Hiring someone with links to proscribed organisations or illegal activities can expose a firm to bribery, corruption or fraud. Social media checks help identify these risks early.
Behavioural Insights: Negative behaviour displayed on social media can have far-reaching consequences for a firm’s reputation. Social media checks can reveal if a candidate has breached company policies, displayed undesirable characteristics or have leaked confidential information.
Integrity Verification: A past online behaviour can tarnish a company’s reputation. Social media checks validate the information shared by candidates, helping gauge intangible qualities such as trust and proprietary.
How FeMan Consulting Can Help Your Business
Social media background checks are an essential component of comprehensive due diligence for FCA-regulated firms. By integrating these checks into the recruitment process, firms can safeguard their reputation, ensure compliance and maintain high standards of professionalism.
For further insights on how to implement effective and comprehensive social media background checks, in line with GDPR regulatory guidelines, and have confidence in your hiring decisions, or to find out more about our wide range of comprehensive screening services contact Sam Morice here or call 01732 240700.
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