Background check in Tanzania

What are the benefits of background checks in Tanzania?

There are many benefits of employee screening in Tanzania. These include:

Decrease in employee turnover

The more you know about potential candidates before hiring them, the more you're likely to hire the most suitable people for the job. The right hires are likely to adapt well to your company's values and culture, hence reducing unwanted turnover.

Saves time and resources

A background check ensures the person hired meets the educational and skill requirements of the job. Without background screening, you might end up with an unqualified employee, leading to a waste of valuable time and resources.

Besides, background screening can prevent you from hiring dishonest individuals or criminals, which then saves you from financial losses due to the following:

• Increase in accidents
• Increase in workers' compensation claims
• Higher insurance premiums
• Increase in theft
• Absenteeism

Better job application quality

If a person has something to hide about their past, they will want to avoid applying for a job that requires a background check. As a result, you're likely to see better-quality applications, making the hiring process a lot easier.

Improved regulatory compliance

Employee background screening can help your company satisfy your industry standards and meet regulatory needs depending on where you're hiring from and the job type. Without doing background checks, you risk facing costly legal action.

Avoid negative publicity

Hiring individuals with a history of criminal activity could hurt your brand’s reputation. Potential customers or clients may avoid doing business with you if they learn that one of your employees has been previously charged with theft or murder. A background check ensures you’re not hiring people with a criminal history.

What are the types of background checks in Tanzania?

Conducting background screening is a crucial step in the hiring process. Here are common types of background checks in Tanzania:

Criminal check in Tanzania

In Tanzania, there are no laws to dictate how criminal checks are to be conducted. However, an employer must obtain written consent from a candidate before a criminal check and follow legal and ethical standards.

Employers usually conduct criminal checks through the local level court, depending on the jurisdiction of the city that the employee comes from. These checks report back felony-level convictions of an individual in the past seven years and may also include other specific details like the case type, file date, charge information, case number, file location, and sentencing information.

In addition, an employer can obtain a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC). The Criminal Investigation Department of Tanzania issues this certificate to confirm that the person hasn't been involved in any criminal activities.

Employment history check

Employers conduct employment history checks in Tanzania to confirm if a candidate has the work experience needed to handle the requirements of the new position. Typically, this involves reviewing a candidate’s employment records, including their previous employers’ names, dates of employment, job titles, and eligibility for rehire.

Sometimes, a work history check in Tanzania can involve contacting the candidate’s previous employers to confirm if the information given in the resume about their work experience is correct.

Medical screening

Employers in Tanzania conduct medical screens on job candidates, especially if they are hiring for safety-sensitive positions like healthcare workers and security personnel. The aim of medical screening is to ensure that the candidate is in the right mental and physical condition to serve in their position. The process may involve a physical examination, mental health evaluation, or a drug alcohol test, in addition to checking the candidate's medical records.

Credit history check

In Tanzania, credit history checks are not as common as in some other countries. However, depending on the industry you are in and the job position, you may want to check the credit history of a prospective employee. For example, if you are hiring a Tanzanian employee to handle your company's finances or sensitive financial information, checking their credit history can help you understand their past financial habits and determine their suitability for the role.

Education history check

It is common for job candidates to falsify their educational qualifications to increase their chances of qualifying for a job. An employer in Tanzania can perform an education background check on a potential hire to ascertain if the educational credentials (degree, diploma, or certificate) listed on their resume are original and rightfully theirs.

Educational history checks may involve contacting or visiting the college or university that the candidate attended to verify their credentials or documents. It may also include verifying whether the job candidate has received specialized training or achieved other professional certifications as they claim.

Social media check

Social media checks are becoming more and more common among employers in Tanzania. A person's online activity reveals much about their personality, values, ideologies, etc. By checking a candidate's social media accounts, an employer can gauge if the person will fit into their team.

Note:

If you’re handling an international employee relocation from another country to Tanzania, keep in mind that the requirements for some of these background checks may vary from country to country. As such, you'll need to be conversant with international laws for a smooth transition.

Requirements for background check in Tanzania

The requirements for conducting a background check in Tanzania often vary depending on the industry, position, and employer needs. These include:

• Employers must obtain written consent from job applicants before conducting a background check
• The background screening process must be fair and non-discriminatory
• Employers must abide by the constitution and the legislation specific to their industry when doing the background checks
• Employers must verify the information obtained through background screening
• Employers must conduct background checks that are relevant to the position they are hiring

Steps in conducting a background check in Tanzania

Employers doing pre-employment screening in Tanzania aren't legally required to follow any specific steps. However, here is a procedure you can refer to when conducting a background check for a job candidate or employee.

1. Obtain consent. Before anything else, seek approval from the prospective employee to avoid future lawsuits.
2. Collect data. Depending on the type of background checks you are doing, collect the relevant data to confirm if the employee is who they say they are. This can include obtaining the candidate's criminal records, academic qualifications, employment history, financial records, etc.
3. Verify information. Once you’ve collected data for the background check, verify the accuracy of the information.
4. Obtain Police Clearance Certificate. You can ask the job candidate to produce a PCC to confirm that they haven't been involved in any criminal activities.
5. Evaluate results. Evaluate the information you’ve obtained from the background checks and PCC to decide whether to hire the candidate or not.

Are employee background checks legal in Tanzania?

Yes. Employers in Tanzania have the right to conduct background checks on job applicants or employees as part of their hiring process or during employment. However, various legislations exist to guide how employers can collect, process, and store personal data.

For example, on November 1, 2022, the parliament of Tanzania passed the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) of 2022. This act has provisions on personal data protection, restrictions for personal data collectors and processors, and the commission to administer and enforce PDPA provisions.

Apart from PDPA, there are other legislations on data protection for different industries. These include the Banking and Financial Institutions Act 2006, the Cybercrimes Act 2015, and the Electronic Transactions Act 2022. Employers have to abide by these provisions when collecting data for background checks. Noncompliance can have serious consequences for your business, including legal disputes and criminal charges.

Planning to hire in Tanzania? Here’s how Skuad can help

Partnering with Skuad is a smart move for employers who want to hire in Tanzania. Skuad conducts background checks when you partner with us for EOR.

Skuad provides comprehensive solutions to ensure that the entire hiring and onboarding process is done in compliance with local laws and regulations. This way, you can focus on running your business without worrying about the complexities of background checks, payroll, benefits management, etc.

Request a demo today to learn how Skuad can make your international hiring process smooth and stress-free.

FAQs

1. What can be asked in a background check?

A background check covers various areas, including previous employment history, criminal history, educational qualifications, credit record, and medical history. It helps to determine whether the information provided by the candidate in the application is factual.

2. How do I get an international background check?

Running an international background check is challenging, considering that each country has its set of laws about background checks and how they should be carried out. The easiest way to get an international background check is to partner with a company that has experience in hiring and onboarding international workers. Their experience allows them to complete the background screening following the relevant laws and regulations.

3. How is a background check in Tanzania done?

There isn't a well-defined process on how to conduct a background check. How it's done may vary depending on the employer's requirements, job position, and local regulations. In general, conducting a background involves three main steps as follows:

1. Obtaining consent from the job candidate or employee
2. Collecting and verifying information
3. Analyzing the results

4. How long is a background check in Tanzania?

An international background check can take anywhere between 10 to 20 days. In some countries, checks may be completed sooner, while in others, it could take longer. The duration of a background check typically varies depending on various factors, such as the scope of the check and the country of origin. Other factors like time zone differences and language barriers may also cause delays.