As a business owner, or as an HR professional responsible for the safety of your coworkers, verifying a prospective employee’s information is a strong way to protect your employees and your business. Having a licensed professional conduct a background investigation, or “background check,” is an invaluable part of a diligent employer’s hiring process. A standard background investigation will verify an individual’s professional and educational credentials, licensing status, past employment and criminal history.

As a parent looking to hire a childcare professional, or as the child of an aging parent needing to hire a home healthcare provider, we highly recommend having a professional provide a detailed background check on any potential candidate. Even if the company providing the caregiver claims to do their own background checks on employees, you should also do your own check. Relying on the word of a business you don’t know is no safer than relying on the word of an individual you don’t know.

As an individual entering into a relationship is a major decision. Why chance your safety, finances and your future without first checking into the background of this possible significant other? A minimal expense in the beginning can minimize a lifetime of regret.