Background Check in the Czech Republic

What are the Benefits of Background Checks in the Czech Republic?

Some of the many benefits of conducting an employee background check in the Czech Republic include:

• Employee screening verifies the information candidates provide and uncovers any discrepancies or falsifications in their resumes. You can focus your time and resources on selecting suitable candidates by identifying underqualified or dishonest applications early in the hiring process.
• Employee background checks in the Czech Republic ensure a safe workplace. It identifies potential risks a candidate can pose to the company.  
• Employers in the Czech Republic are subject to various laws and regulations governing hiring practices, data privacy, and discrimination. Thorough employee screening helps ensure compliance with these regulations, reducing the risk of common legal liabilities and penalties.

What are the Types of Background Checks in the Czech Republic?

Below is a detailed account of the various types of employee background checks in the Czech Republic.

Criminal record check

To get a Czech Criminal Record Check, you must visit the consular office in person or send an application by mail. If you wish to apply in person, you must book an appointment by email. In addition to this, you will need to furnish the following documents,

1. Your valid ID
2. A form with your personal information filled out
3. An administrative fee

Alternatively, if you are applying via mail, then the following documents are necessary,

1. A filled-out application form with your signature verified by the Czech Honorary Consulate.
2. Copies of your ID and birth certificate
3. An administrative fee
4. Two envelopes with prepaid postage and your return address 

The processing time might vary depending on your citizenship status.

• For Czech citizens applying in person, it is usually done while you wait.
• It takes about three business days for foreign nationals with a birth number.
• Other applicants generally take up to one to three weeks. 

Please note that the Criminal Record Check is in Czech, but employers can request a multilingual form by paying an extra administrative fee. 

Employment history check

In the Czech Republic, conducting an employment history check involves verifying a candidate’s work experience, job positions, and dates of employment. You can contact previous employers, HR departments, or direct supervisors to verify the accuracy of the information provided in resumes or job applications. 

Medical screening

Under the Czech Republic labor code, employers must ensure their employees undergo an initial medical examination before commencing work. Workers hired under particular contracts, such as agreements for completing tasks or performing work, may only be required to perform this examination under certain conditions regarding specific health services.

Additionally, you must cover the cost of the initial medical screening for all candidates. If unsuccessful candidates are minors or work night shifts, the employer must also cover the cost of their initial medical examination.

Credit history check

When hiring in the Czech Republic, you can conduct a credit history check on potential employees. However, before proceeding with the process, you need to obtain the candidate’s consent. 

The decision to request a credit check must be based on an explicit and legitimate need to protect the employer’s business, customers, or clients. It should be appropriate and proportionate to the nature of the job and the level of responsibility involved. 

Education history

Verifying a candidate’s education history is an important part of employee screening in the Czech Republic. It helps to ensure that the individual possesses the required academic qualifications for the job.

Employers may request employees to provide copies of their educational certificates or diplomas as part of the application process. These documents are then reviewed to confirm the candidate’s academic qualifications.

Social media check

Employers may search for publicly available information about the candidate on social media platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. However, this must be conducted within reasonable limits, and the candidate’s privacy must be respected. You can focus on gathering information per job requirements and avoid personal matters unrelated to the position.

Requirements for Background Checks in the Czech Republic

When conducting a background check in the Czech Republic, you need to follow the Personal Data Processing Act (PDPA), the Czech Labor Code, and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) of the European Union.  

Moreover, whenever conducting a background check, you need to ask for the following documents:

• Valid identification documents (national ID card, passport)
• Details about the permanent and current address.
• Contact information, date of birth, father’s name
• Offer letter and experience letter from previous companies
• Positions and dates of employment
• Education certificates and mark sheets

Steps in Conducting Background Checks in the Czech Republic

Conducting a background check in the Czech Republic comprises several steps to ensure accuracy, compliance with legal requirements, and respect for the candidate’s privacy. Below is a detailed overview of the same. 

1. Obtain the candidate’s consent

Before initiating any background checks, obtain explicit consent from the candidate authorizing the checks. This consent should specify the types of checks conducted and the purpose for which the information will be used. Once the candidate approves the process, you can start the process. 

2. Identity information to verify

Determine which aspects of the candidate’s background must be verified based on the job requirements. Please note that the Czech Republic does not mandate employers for all background checks. Certain employee screening areas, such as criminal record checks or credit history checks, require specific conditions to be satisfied.

To complete this stage, you must visit every university, employer, and required authority to verify. One of the simplest ways to conduct this stage successfully is to hire an EOR like Skuad. It offers services like background checks, which you can use to complete this entire process swiftly. 

3. Evaluate results

Review the findings of the background checks to assess the candidate’s suitability for the position. Consider any relevant information uncovered during the employee screening in the Czech Republic and how it may impact the hiring decision.

Are Employee Background Checks Legal in the Czech Republic?

Yes, employee screening in the Czech Republic is legal. However, there are regulations and laws to ensure that these checks are conducted fairly and by privacy rights. They mainly include,

• The Czech Data Protection Act 2000 and 
• The EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

As an employer, you must ensure 100% compliance with all the guidelines laid out in these regulations to minimize the chances of getting penalized or fined.

Planning to hire in the Czech Republic? Here’s how Skuad can Help

With Skuad, you can streamline the hiring process and find the best talent for your organization. We provide a comprehensive EOR service (including background checks) that allows you to manage payroll, invoices, compliance, benefits, and taxes from a single interface. 

Skuad performs background checks if you partner with us for EOR.

But wait, there’s more!

By leveraging Skuad’s platform, you can accelerate your time-to-market and expand your business more quickly, allowing you to seize opportunities and stay ahead of the competition. 

Contact us to learn more about our services and how we can support your hiring objectives!

FAQs

Q1: Do employers do international background checks?

Ans: Employers may conduct international background checks in the Czech Republic, mainly if the job demands it or the employee has lived or worked abroad.

Q2: What is HPP in the Czech Republic?

Ans: HPP, or HIavni pracovni poker, refers to a full-time employment contract between an employer and an employee. Under the HPP arrangement, the employee is required to work a fixed number of hours per week, depending on the company’s policies, and they receive a regular salary or wage in return for their work.

Q3: What is pre-employment screening for a job?

Ans: Pre-employment screening, as the name suggests, refers to evaluating job candidates before an employer hires them. The primary purpose of this process is to assess the qualifications and suitability of a candidate for the position they are applying.

Q4: What is the notice period in the Czech Republic?

Ans: Under the labor laws in the Czech Republic, employers must provide employees with a minimum of two months’ notice before terminating their employment.