What are the Benefits of Background Checks in Greece?

When hiring an employee in Greece, you must invest time to ensure that a suitable candidate is on board.   

Here’s a detailed view of the benefits of employee background checks. 

1. Reduce Staff Turnover    

Investing time and resources in hiring and training your staff can be costly. It can be disheartening to discover that your dedicated efforts and financial resources did not yield the expected results.

Furthermore, a high turnover rate sends the wrong message out and attracts undesired candidates.  

To address this, you must audit your protocols and introduce a background check for employees. Background checks help collect precise information about an applicant, lowering employee turnover.

2. Enhance Workplace Safety and Staff Security 

In a workplace, the top priority is the safety of employees. Conducting background checks on your current or potential employees ensures you uphold the company’s compliance and safety standards. If an organization is found guilty of negligent hiring, lawsuits could follow. 

With regular background checks, you lessen the risk of a negligent hire. Plus, you have access to ample information, which will help you make the right hiring decision.  

3. Increase Job Applicant Quality  

Having pre-employment screening in place encourages genuine applicants to submit accurate resumes, lowering discrepancies. You will likely attract candidates who feel their potential employer is thorough and values honesty and integrity. 

Background checks will also dissuade those who have something to hide. By doing so, you can maintain the standard and quality of your hiring practices, ultimately ensuring a secure and productive workplace.   

4. Maintain Compliance

Several roles and industries need employees to meet specific regulatory or legal requirements. Doing a background check ensures your newly hired employee has the necessary qualifications. This way, you can avoid any fines or lawsuits.  

Additionally, by ensuring compliance with local labor rules and regulations, you not only protect your employees but also safeguard the well-being of your company.   

‍Read More: How To Handle International Employee Relocation

What are the Types of Background Checks in Greece?

There are a variety of background checks that companies carry out. It’s a way to determine how fitting an individual is for a specific role. Here are some common ones you can expect during a background check in Greece. 

1. Criminal Record Check: 

Employers look into criminal records to see if an individual has been convicted of any crimes. It’s one of the most fundamental background checks in Greece. Typically, the Greek Police administer it. They look into an individual's criminal history, which includes any past convictions or pending criminal cases.   

2. Employment History Check: 

An employment history check in Greece involves verifying an applicant's work history by contacting previous employers. Employers can find out an applicant's job title, date of employment, reason for leaving previous positions, and more. 

Employers can use this to assess if an individual’s qualifications make them suitable for a specific role. Further, a work history check in Greece is a way to ensure the individual’s claims on their resume align with their actual work experience.  

3. Medical Screening:

Medical employment screening in Greece is particularly useful in certain industries like healthcare, where roles involve public safety. You can find a candidate’s mental and physical health through medical screening. It helps you understand if they’re capable of safely performing their role. For instance, one of the criteria for those joining the fire department is to be physically fit.

4. Credit History Check:

A credit report shows an individual's creditworthiness and financial history. It includes information about credit card debt, loans, repayment history, and outstanding debts. While employment screening in Greece doesn’t always consider credit history, it’s useful in sectors like finance, where financial responsibility is paramount. It shows how well an individual can manage financial responsibilities.

5. Education History:

An employment history check in Greece may also involve verifying an applicant’s educational qualifications, including certifications, diplomas, and degrees. This will ensure that the candidate has the educational background required for the job.   

6. Social Media Check:

Social media is one of the steps in a background check. Here, employers vet an individual’s online presence. It shows how they behave online and if they align with company values. While it’s not mandatory, some companies may choose to do it. 

‍Also Read: Hire in Greece 2024 Guide | What Employers Need to Know

Requirements for Background Check in Greece

To ensure the background check in Greece is accurate and compliant with local laws, employers must gather specific information. Here are some of the basic requirements: 

• The full legal name of the applicant, including any maiden names and aliases.
• Date of birth. 
• Address, including current and previous ones. 
• Contact information like email ID and phone number. 
• Educational qualifications like names and schools of previously attended colleges or universities, degrees earned, and graduation dates.
• Previous employment details like employer’s name, job title, contact information, date of employment, reason for leaving, etc. 
• Professional references, including their names, contact details, etc. 
• Criminal record check in Greece will be done if needed to collect relevant criminal record information.
• Social media handles if they’re a part of the employer’s process of employment screening in Greece. 
• If needed for the position, then the required medical history of the applicant. 

While it’s required to collect some of this information, it must be done in a way that respects the candidate's privacy rights.

Steps in Conducting Background Check in Greece

To conduct a background check in Greece, an employer must follow certain steps. Typically, here’s what it looks like. 

1. Obtain Consent from the Candidate: 

Before initiating any employment screening in Greece, you must first inform the candidate and get their written consent. This also involves getting information from a third party. The consent will include the types of checks you will conduct and how you will use the information.

2. Determine the Appropriate Checks:

Employers must decide what background checks are appropriate for the industry and position. Some of the most common ones are work history check in Greece, criminal record check in Greece, education verification, and more. 

3. Gather Information about the Candidate: 

Based on the check the employer plans to carry out, they must collect all the information needed from the applicant. This may include their full name, date of birth, address, contact information, work history, education details, etc. Remember to collect information that’s only relevant to the job and role. 

4. Engage a Screening Agency (Optional): 

A company can consider working with a reputable agency with expertise in conducting background checks in Greece. This is optional if you lack the in-house resources to complete the job.

5. Evaluate Results: 

Review the background check results carefully and assess whether the candidate meets the requirements for the position.

6. Inform the Candidate:

Inform the candidate about the background check results. If you need, you can ask for more information or talk about the way forward. Before you take any action, give the candidate time to respond. 

Are Employee Background Checks Legal in Greece?

It’s common for employers to conduct a background check in Greece. However, it’s important to comply with the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) during the process. They’re a body that governs data protection and privacy for individuals. 

The processes related to background checks in Greece are controlled by the Hellenic Data Protection Authority. The authority ensures employers collect only information relevant to the position and nothing else.  

This means companies can only do background checks in Greece that help decide if the candidate is suitable for the job. Getting an individual's consent is vital, especially when using third-party information in background checks.

Planning to Hire in Greece? Here’s How Skuad Can Help

For international companies, hiring and managing employees in a foreign country like Greece can be a challenge due to complex employment laws. 

To add to this, companies must comply with employment screening in Greece by following local laws. Processes like background checks are complex and very time-consuming. So Skuad does background checks only when you partner with us for EOR.

With Skuad, you can compliantly hire global contractors and full-time employees in more than 160 countries, including Greece. Skuad allows you to onboard international employees and build globally distributed teams easily. To know more, talk to our experts today.

FAQs

1. How do I get a criminal record check in Greece?

The Greek police authorities carry out criminal record checks in Greece. Businesses can request them for the same, along with required paperwork like the candidate’s personal information. The specific requirements and processes may vary.  

2. Are background checks legal in Europe?

Yes, background checks are legal in Europe as long as they comply with country-specific data protection laws. 

3. Can you do a background check on someone from another country?

It’s possible to conduct a background check on someone from another country. However, it must follow the rules and regulations of both your country and the individual’s home country.  

4. Can you go to Greece with a criminal record?

Entering Greece with a criminal record depends on many factors, such as the nature of the offense, the severity of the conviction, and Greek immigration laws. Like other countries, Greece has its entry requirements and restrictions. If you have a criminal record, it’s best to consult an expert for guidance on your case.