March 28th, 2023 | Sterling

Why Adverse Media Checks are Vital for the Hospitality Industry

One of the industries hit hardest by the pandemic was the hospitality industry. Hotels were largely empty, restaurants were limited to takeaway deliveries, and resorts were closed for months on end.

Now, as travel returns to most countries, businesses in the hospitality industry are finding themselves pushed to keep up with demand. The industry faces worker shortages due to a slow revival of immigration and businesses are keen to hire quickly to fill the gaps.

But as hospitality businesses rush to employ new workers, they must also remember to hire safely. One way to achieve this is by conducting thorough background screening on prospective employees, particularly adverse media checks.

What an adverse media check? 

An adverse media check involves searching media archives to identify any information associated with a person. It enables companies to identify any controversial issues or legal proceedings of a person that have been reported in the media. The search is conducted using thousands of adverse key words relating to crime, terror, fraud and other illicit activities. All articles found are reviewed directly with the source to ensure the most accurate and up to date information is considered. By searching breaking news articles, results can include an early warning on pending criminal and civil cases.

This search uses the candidate’s current and previous names to sift through a database collated from more than 12,000 sources including the world’s major trade, business, and scholastic journals, local newspapers, regional business publications, national and international business newspapers, industry newsletters, corporate news releases and newswires worldwide, for any information pertaining to the candidate.

Why are adverse media checks useful in the hospitality industry?

1. Safety is key

Hospitality is all about creating a safe and secure environment for customers, and the creation of a safe environment starts by employing workers who can be trusted with ensuring the health and safety of guests.

Adverse media checks enable businesses to check whether there are any links between a prospective employee and criminal activities, such as violent behavior or physical or sexual assault, or any reported connections to organised crime. Businesses can then utilise this information to assess whether the worker would be suited for a role that requires a high level of trustworthiness and integrity.

2. The need to hire efficiently 

Adding efficiencies to the recruitment process is crucial for busy hiring markets such as the hospitality industry.

Adverse media screening provides a quick overview of any major incidents linked to an individual, hence this type of screening is useful as an efficient first filter in the recruitment process. It can help  ensure that unsuitable candidates are weeded out of the process as early as possible, saving the business significant time and resources.

3. High proportion of international workers

The hospitality industry boasts a high proportion of international workers compared to other industries, yet it can be more complex to conduct effective background screening on international workers due to a lack of reach and resources.

An adverse media check is beneficial in this situation as it utilises global media sources to search whether the candidate has been mentioned in media articles internationally. This enables businesses to gain insight into whether the candidate has had any past incidents in their native country or other countries in which they have lived and worked that would raise a red flag.

4. Hospitality workers often work independently in high-trust environments

Hospitality workers often work in high-trust environments, such as hotel rooms, bars, or with young children or elderly people. Due to their employment in such environments, it is imperative for businesses to help them hire authentic, trustworthy and reliable employees.

Many hospitality roles also require employees to carry out tasks independently without direct supervision. For example, small hospitality businesses where there isn’t always a manager on hand but there remains access to the cash till. These positions call for the hiring of employees that can be trusted to fulfil their role with integrity.

Adverse media check helps to identify any prior integrity issues and incidents for candidates, particularly in past employment roles that may have been omitted from their CV. This helps businesses feel confident to take the next step in making fully informed hiring decisions and recruiting workers who can be trusted to work independently and in high-trust environments.

How can Sterling help? 

Conducting comprehensive background screening, including adverse media checks, helps to ensure that your business is hiring the right staff to maintain safety and security at your hospitality venue.

Sterling are experts in delivering adverse media check and other background screening services to the hospitality industry in the Asia-Pacific region and globally. We have specialist  expertise and knowledge of each of the markets in which we operate, and can offer tailored services and guidance to suit the unique requirements of your business.

If you’re looking to hire safely and quickly for your hospitality business, contact us here to discuss your needs.

This content is offered for informational purposes only. First Advantage is not a law firm, and this content does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice.  Information in this may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information.

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