Standard vs. Enhanced Background Checks: What Canadian Employers Need to Know

In today’s fast-paced job market, ensuring the safety and integrity of your hires has never been more critical. For Canadian employers, this often involves choosing between Standard and Enhanced background checks. Understanding the key differences between these two options can help you make informed decisions and tailor your hiring process to your specific needs.

In this comprehensive guide, we will break down the specifics of each background check, discuss when and why you might choose one over the other, and highlight what Canadian employers need to know to stay compliant and effective in their hiring processes.

Table of Contents

What is a Standard Background Check?

A Standard Background Check is the most commonly used screening method by Canadian employers. It includes:

ID Verification: Verifies the candidate’s identity through government-issued documentation.
CPIC System: A search through the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC), which is maintained by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). This database houses a wide range of criminal records across the country.

Key Features of a Standard Background Check:

Name and Date of Birth-Based Search: This check primarily uses the individual’s name and date of birth to search for any criminal records in the CPIC system.
Turnaround Time: With services like Credibled, you can receive results within 15 minutes, enabling you to make hiring decisions quickly.

When Should Employers Use a Standard Background Check?

The Standard Background Check is suitable for most job roles that do not require high levels of security clearance or involve working with vulnerable populations. It’s cost-effective and offers fast results, making it ideal for entry-level positions or roles where moderate background scrutiny is sufficient.

Key Benefits:

Quick turnaround, allowing for faster onboarding.
Affordable for employers who need to screen a high volume of candidates.

What is an Enhanced Background Check?

An Enhanced Background Check goes a step further than the Standard check. While it also includes the core elements of identity verification and CPIC searches, it incorporates additional databases for a more thorough screening. Key Features of an Enhanced Background Check:

PIP Niche Databases: In addition to CPIC, the Enhanced check searches through the Police Information Portal (PIP) Niche Databases. These databases contain more detailed criminal history and police-reported information that might not appear in a standard CPIC check.
Comprehensive Coverage: This check provides a broader picture of the candidate’s history, including more localized police records that could be crucial for high-security roles.

When Should Employers Use an Enhanced Background Check?

Enhanced checks are ideal for positions that involve working with sensitive data, high financial responsibilities, or vulnerable populations (e.g., healthcare, finance, or childcare roles). If your company requires stringent security measures, this type of check is essential.

Key Benefits:

Offers deeper insights into a candidate’s history.
More appropriate for roles that carry significant risks.
You can explore more about how to streamline your hiring process through effective reference and background checks in our blog on improving the quality of your hires.

Why Background Checks Matter for Canadian Employers

Background checks are not just about vetting criminal history. They are an essential part of ensuring the safety, compliance, and overall integrity of your organization. A well-conducted background check can:

Prevent Fraud: It’s easier to catch discrepancies in a candidate’s claims early on, saving time and resources in the long run.
Ensure Workplace Safety: Especially in roles that involve working with vulnerable populations or sensitive information, background checks protect both your company and your employees.
Reduce Legal Risks: Employers in Canada must adhere to stringent privacy laws. Ensuring proper background checks with documented consent can help mitigate risks of legal action related to negligent hiring.

Choosing Between Standard and Enhanced Background Checks

When deciding whether to use a Standard or Enhanced background check, consider the following:

Job Requirements: High-security roles, such as finance or healthcare, may require more comprehensive screening provided by Enhanced checks. In contrast, administrative or general labor positions may only require Standard checks.
Budget Constraints: While Enhanced checks are more thorough, they also tend to be more costly. If you’re hiring for many positions or lower-risk roles, the Standard check may provide the right balance of cost and efficiency.
Turnaround Time: For fast-moving recruitment processes, Standard checks typically offer quicker results. However, with services like Credibled, even Enhanced checks can be completed in a short timeframe, often within the same day.

For more insights on managing hiring risks through comprehensive checks, see our blog on how to reduce hiring risks.

Compliance with Canadian Laws

It’s crucial for Canadian employers to comply with privacy laws when conducting background checks. You must always obtain informed consent from the candidate before initiating any form of screening. Additionally, keep in mind that criminal record information cannot be used to discriminate against potential hires in a way that violates human rights legislation.

Understanding the legal framework can prevent costly legal battles and help maintain your company’s reputation as an ethical employer.

Integrating Background Checks into a Seamless Hiring Process

At Credibled, we offer both Standard and Enhanced background checks to help Canadian employers ensure they hire the right people for the right roles. Our platform streamlines the process, integrating automated reminders, direct SMS requests, and fraud detection to help you get the most out of every check.

To further improve your recruitment process, consider exploring automated reference checks, which not only provide essential hiring insights but also open the door to lead generation. For more on this, read our

guide on automated reference checking.

Conclusion

Whether you choose a Standard or Enhanced background check, it’s important to understand the specific needs of your organization and the role you’re hiring for. By integrating thorough screening processes, you can safeguard your company, improve hiring quality, and ensure compliance with Canadian laws.

For more insights on how automated reference checks can enhance your hiring process, visit our blog on The Benefits of Automated Reference Checking.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the difference between a Standard and an Enhanced background check?

A Standard background check searches the CPIC system using a person’s name and date of birth. An Enhanced check adds a search of the PIP Niche Databases for more comprehensive screening.

How long do Standard and Enhanced background checks take?

With Credibled, both types of checks can be completed quickly, often within 15 minutes.

When should I use an Enhanced background check?

You should use an Enhanced check for roles requiring more security or dealing with sensitive information, such as healthcare, finance, or childcare.

Are background checks in Canada legal?

Yes, background checks are legal in Canada, but employers must obtain consent from the candidate and ensure the information is not used in a discriminatory way.

How can I improve the quality of my hiring process?

Using automated background and reference checks can streamline your process, reduce human error, and provide quicker, more accurate results.