Screening International Candidates

Recruiting and screening international candidates has become ever more common practice for UK businesses in recent years, in line with increasing trends around migration globally. While there are varying opinions on the suitability and relevant qualification of such candidates, hiring personnel from different backgrounds can really make a difference to a business and the UK economy as a whole.  This blog, we will be looking at the benefits of hiring international candidates, and how to remain safe and compliant whilst doing so.

In December 2015 the number of new migrants arriving in the UK reached 333,000, with many of these individuals undoubtedly seeking employment opportunities in the process. In 2016, the number of European migrants working in the UK rose from 223,000 to 2.15million in 12 months alone, with the overall number of people born overseas working in the UK reportedly standing at 5.5 million. Since the Brexit vote in June 2016, the number of Eastern European workers in the UK has also surged, with a 49,000 person increase  experienced largely, it is thought, around concerns that borders could be closed moving forward.

Some business owners have in certain instances been criticised for hiring international candidates, but it has also been shown that migrants do benefit the UK economy. According to HMRC, EU migrants have made a net contribution of £2.5 billion to the UK economy since the end of the 2014 tax year alone. Lord Kerr of Kinlochard, the peer responsible for writing Article 50 of the Treaty of Lisbon, also believes that migrants are essential to keeping Britain running.

What do migrants bring to the UK?

Overall, migrants can help to improve the structure and overall production systems of UK businesses by introducing new work practices and technology more akin to the professional culture they have come from. Research by the UK Government has found that migrants to the UK are likely to have different technical backgrounds and levels of experience which can help in problem solving situations, and improve the overall performance of a business.

In recruiting such individuals, however, businesses need to ensure they are still maintaining the highest of standards when it comes to employment screening in order to safeguard their existing employees and customers too. It is essential to screen all members of a team in any case, in order to create the safest possible working environment, and this applies to international candidates too.

International criminal checks should be conducted in every case.  These checks can be executed for EU and non-EU nationals, and are connected with the criminal database of each individual country to help flag up any potential criminal records or further information employers may need to be aware of before hiring. For some job roles this type of check is a legal requirement either way, but even if it is not required for compliance reasons, such a check is still recommended to ensure you know everything you need to know about the candidate you are bringing into your business.

International checks, like any other form of background screening, can help you ensure that at all levels your recruitment practices remain at a consistently high standard, and the candidates that you end up employing are always the right fit for your organisation. Making more informed hiring decisions can save your business both time and money, and ensure that you always have the most qualified members of staff on your team. If you would like to speak to a member of our team for further support, you can call us on: 01443 799 900 or email us on: info@cbscreening.co.uk