There is one thing that can save employers thousands of dollars, reduce liability exposure, increase morale and retention, and save managers hours of frustration. This one thing also happens to be the most overlooked element of the human resource functions performed by an employer. What is this mystery element? It's a pre-employment screening process or background investigation.

Background checks aren't just for FBI agents or the military. Instead, they are essential tools for employers to determine they are hiring the right person. No position is too big or too small to not warrant a thorough background investigation. Not doing the due diligence before hiring someone can only lead to trouble.

"Companies that don't do thorough background checks before they hire employees usually end up with employee-related issues," said Brian Bauer, President of Phenix Investigations. "A complete background check will ensure the prospective employee is truthful and will ensure the employer knows of any issues up front."

Most employers do some sort of internal or external background investigation process before hiring an employee, but the depth of that process varies widely. Some employers only verify past employment and possibly education, while others choose to also review criminal histories, driving records, drug screening and sex ...