Hiring · HR glossary

Criminal Background Check

A criminal background check seeks information about a person's criminal history where lawful and relevant to the role. Available records, permitted checks and use of results vary by jurisdiction.

Example

An employer recruiting for a role with specific safeguarding requirements uses the authorised checking process and handles the result through a controlled review.

What to keep in mind

A record does not automatically justify rejection. Consider applicable restrictions, relevance, accuracy and fair procedures, and avoid collecting criminal-history information simply because it is available.

Further reading

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