While
there is a lot of uncertainty during this lockdown period, one factor
remains consistent – business cannot come to a complete stop. Therefore,
it is imperative that procedures – including that of recruitment –
evolve to adapt to the new global reality.
COVID-19
has unfortunately had an effect on employment worldwide and an influx
of candidates are likely to be looking for new positions in the
aftermath of the pandemic,
turning the job market into an even more competitive space.
How does your business now balance this outcome in a time where social distancing is a life-saving necessity?
Traditional
hiring programmes are fashioned to incorporate face-to-face
interaction, which is now and in the near future, out of the question.
COVID-19 has forced many
industries to adopt a new normal which requires working remotely and
utilising technology to stay on track, all while adhering to company
policy. The same can and should be done within the recruitment sector,.
Here
are some tips on how to ensure your business remains at the front of
the recruitment herd, without compromising the health and safety of
existing staff or the integrity
of your company’s reputation.
Screen-to-screen
Video
calling and virtual meeting services are excellent tools to bridge the
distance. This is an inexpensive way to operate as anyone with a
smartphone and access to the
Internet can be interviewed, limiting person-to-person contact. This
also provides the candidate with the freedom to conduct an interview at
their convenience without having to apply for extra leave or having to
travel. A secondary upshot for the recruiter,
is that working in this manner gives employers the opportunity to
evaluate how comfortable candidates are in the digital space.
Consent is key
Legal
compliance obligations remain paramount – digital interviews do not
absolve your business of this. Utilise electronic consent forms to
obtain permission before conducting
background searches on potential employees. These forms can be turned
into hard copies once the lockdown is lifted but soft copies should also
be stored online for future audit processes.
Biometric fingerprints
While
the lockdown may prevent employers from capturing fingerprints in
real-time, there are other methods available to conduct vital checks to
ensure your candidate does
not have a criminal history.
Shared
Fingerprint Databases are great tools which give recruiters access to
fingerprints that were previously captured and often require only the
name and ID number of
the candidate to provide verification. Processes are put in place before
fingerprints are added to the database, ensuring trustworthy results.
However, it is once again important to note that consent from the
candidate must be received before your company utilises
this system to access a potential employee’s details.
Prepare to go paperless
The
time is now. Establish electronic signing solutions within your
business. This further eliminates the need for face to face interaction,
while still allowing processes
to go ahead unencumbered by waiting times. Many of these solutions
already exist and have been developed in line with signature
legislation, ensuring employment contracts remain well-organised and up
to date.
Don’t let lockdown slow down verification
The
21-day lockdown has forced the closure of a number of verification
bodies within the country. To ensure your company does not fall behind,
break down the verification
process into two stages:
Real-Time Identity Checks
Conduct
ID verifications, as well as credit and fraud listing searches – which
are mandatory for candidates looking to join industries where trust is a
key characteristic
of the role.
Academic Qualification Verifications
Academic
qualifications can still be processed through electronic databases.
Like much of South Africa, many of these organisations are working
digitally during lockdown
and are still able to provide results. For those that are completely
shut, process your application as per usual to ensure you make it into
the queue for verification as soon as the lockdown is lifted.
For more information, visit: https://www.lexisnexis.co.za/news-and-insights/covid-19-resource-centre
