Experience Files

Something I've heard many times: "Background checks for potential new hires are too expensive and not worth the money... Nothing's ever happened, and there's no sense in changing what I've been doing." This viewpoint, while understandable from a short-sighted cost perspective, is incredibly risky and frankly, misguided.

Think about it this way: no one wakes up planning to crash their car, yet we all pay for car insurance. We invest in things we hope never to use, because of the safety net they provide. Background checks should be viewed no differently. They are an essential form of insurance for your business, your clients, and your existing employees.

The True Cost (or Lack Thereof)

The argument that background checks are "too expensive" simply isn't accurate. The average cost for a comprehensive 50-state criminal background check and sex offender database check should be around $50. If you're unwilling to spend the equivalent of a single dinner out to ensure you're not exposing your clients and team to potentially dangerous individuals, then it's time for some serious soul-searching about your priorities as a business owner.

Why a 50-State Check is Essential

You might wonder, "Why do I need a 50-state check if I only live and work in one state?" The simple answer is that we live in a mobile society. People move, they travel, and past actions don't stay confined to a single county line. Just because someone passes a local background check in, say, Tennessee, doesn't mean they haven't committed egregious acts in New Hampshire 15 years ago. A comprehensive check covers their history, regardless of where it occurred.

Character Judgment Isn't Enough

Another common belief is, "I'm a good judge of character; I'd know if someone sitting across from me is a bad apple." And yes, so did I. I've sat across from individuals whom I genuinely thought were amazing, high-character people, only to have their background checks return shocking and saddening revelations about their pasts. While I understand the desire for a fresh start, that fresh start cannot come at the potential expense of your clients' safety or your employees' well-being.

Take a moment to Google "carpet cleaner arrested." What do you want to bet the owners who hired those individuals now wish they had "blown" $50 on a background check? The potential cost of not doing a background check—in terms of liability, reputational damage, and the immeasurable human cost—far, far outweighs the minimal financial investment.

Protect your business, protect your reputation, and most importantly, protect the people you serve and employ. Background checks are not an option; they're a necessity.