Penelope’s Mom asked:
I have been told by the ‘hr administrator’ that our small business must check references of everyone we pay money to provide a service. For example, we recently hired a freelance software programmer who works from home and invoices us as work is completed. What level of background check is required? I have not been able to find anything that says it is a ‘must do’.
I have been told by the ‘hr administrator’ that our small business must check references of everyone we pay money to provide a service. For example, we recently hired a freelance software programmer who works from home and invoices us as work is completed. What level of background check is required? I have not been able to find anything that says it is a ‘must do’.
Tags: Canada, Freelance Software, Money
nope
There is no legal requirement; however, it is prudent to do so, as it may reduce the cost of future litigation over incomplete or shoddy work done by contractors.
Hello Penelope’s.. Mom:
If you have an HR Administrator, it would be his/her job to check the references. There is no legal requirement by law that says this has to be done, BUT it is always best to ask for references and phone the numbers on the pages. Ask whoever you might want to hire to give a list of their last working positions and call them for a reference check.
You have to remember that some will not give out any information anymore do to the new guide lines of the Canadian Privacy Act. I think the HR Administrator is either trying to push the work onto you, or she just can’t be bothered doing her job.
I hope this helps
iamjustrandy
There is no legal requirement to check references, however it does make good business practice. Would you want somebody working on your program who has screwed up at other companies?