The Changing Landscape of Employee Screening in Russia

As the job market continues to change, Russian employers are reconsidering their methods of confirming new employees. The old techniques of employee screening in Russia, largely based on database-only checks, are no longer sufficient for today's hiring requirements. Furthermore, with growing sophisticated fraud attempts and increased legal compliance demands, extensive verification has never been more crucial to employers.

Why Traditional Database Searches Fall Short?

Although database screenings remain a standard initial step in employee screening in Russia, they only check publicly available criminal records and basic credential lists. Perhaps a major drawback of these screenings is that the records within Russia are not necessarily centralized. Most databases are not updated in real-time and tend to omit important local or regional information. Depending solely on these database verifications can fail to catch counterfeit credentials, work with stale data, or fail to detect unreported crime records. Organizations might, therefore, hire unqualified or untruthful employees without knowing it, which could be a substantial threat.

What Is Deep Screening? Moving Beyond the Basics

Deep employee screening in Russia refers to a multi-layered employment verification process that exceeds the most fundamental checks. It encompasses:

1.      Direct contact with schools and former employers to confirm credentials.

2.      Extensive searches of local court and government documents to confirm the candidate's background.

3.      Reference checks, including social media and address verification.

4.      Utilizing local investigators to obtain and verify documents in person when needed.

The success of employee screening in Russia often depends on completing these verifications "at the source," rather than relying solely on electronic submissions.

Reality: Why Deep Screening Matters in Russia

The rise in fraudulent CVs and counterfeit diplomas among Russian job candidates underscores the necessity for rigorous job applicant verification in Russia. The verification needs to go beyond qualifications to verify the genuineness of the applicant's identity, references, and work history. Considering Russia's unique legislation that limits some of the checks, for example, financial and medical assessments, organizations need to be aware of what is legally permissible and what is mandatory so that they can avoid compliance issues.

Moreover, the growth of remote employment and a surge of foreign applicants raises the need for manual, regional verification. Greater risks of falsification make substantial checks more important than ever.

How Deep Screening Works: A Step-by-Step Overview

A standard deep process of employee screening in Russia involves some of the following necessary steps:

1.      A preliminary database check for public records to alert to any probable issues.

2.      Verification of government-issued identification documents, like internal passports, to authenticate identity affirmation.

3.      Direct verification of academic qualifications with the appropriate Russian institutions.

4.      Contact past employers for official reference and employment checks.

5.      If necessary, a local investigator will call to check addresses and credentials in person.

Turnaround times for these checks may differ depending on the level of screening required, and organizations have a responsibility to comply with GDPR requirements when processing applicant information.

Trends and Tools: Technology Meets Local Expertise

The advent of AI and blockchain technology for record verification is a global trend. However, in Russia, human expertise is still at the top because of the dispersed nature of record-keeping. Global background firms with employee screening in Russia are increasingly collaborating with on-the-ground investigators to deliver more accurate and prompt checks.

While efforts at digitalization are increasing, they are yet to completely replace the need for seasoned local investigators. The merger of technology and human touch guarantees that checks are both reliable and informed.

The Right Approach for Russia

To have a reliable hiring procedure, businesses can't risk relying on online databases exclusively for the screening of workers. A combination of technology and personal, local verification provides the security, the accuracy, and the compliance required for any employment background check in Russia.

HR leaders are invited to examine their existing processes and consider implementing deep employee screening in Russia as a best practice for addressing the new needs of hiring. Embracing this thorough approach not only protects against possible threats but also creates a stronger and more stable workforce.