The persistent labor shortage in the construction industry has left many employers feeling that they must relax their hiring standards to keep jobs staffed and projects moving forward. In manufacturing, the temptation to compress the hiring timeline can seem just as intense as firms manage materials costs, intricate logistics and client expectations.
However, despite pressure to meet client demands and staff up quickly, bringing the wrong candidates on board can result in significant costs to your company’s reputation and your bottom line. A recent report highlights the ongoing risks within these industries, noting that over 5,000 fatalities occurred in the workplace in 2022, with 1 in 5 of these fatalities occurring in the construction sector. Additionally, substance abuse remains a pressing issue, with 14.3% of construction workers diagnosed with a substance use disorder in the past year and 1 in 10 manufacturing workers reporting heavy alcohol use, alongside 1 in 13 reporting illicit drug use within the past month.
Even in circumstances of severe time restraints, a manufacturing industry or construction background check should represent critical components of your hiring process. Hiring even one ill-intentioned or unqualified employee can do more harm than you might think. Unreliability, unacceptable performance and even criminal activity such as theft or sabotage can leave blemishes on your brand, cause costly dips in team morale and inflict lasting financial damage.
