The easy guide to employee background checks in Lithuania

When hiring employees in Lithuania, background checks are vital but the process can be complex. You need to know what's allowed under European Union (EU) and Lithuanian rules and laws, as well as how you're obligated to handle and store your prospective employees' sensitive data.

If you're hiring employees in Lithuania, the background check process can seem intimidating. You want to do your due diligence to protect your workers and your business in Lithuania, but you also need to keep compliant with all the relevant regulations.

Here's the essential know-how on running comprehensive and legally compliant employee background checks in Lithuania.

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Are you legally required to run background checks on Lithuanian employees?

It isn’t mandatory to run background checks on employees in Lithuania, but Lithuanian employers can choose to do limited screening under current regulations.

Generally speaking, employers are allowed to request information about job applicants that is relevant to the position, including criminal record checks, education verification, and employment history.

Employers need to obtain informed consent from job applicants before conducting background checks. It’s the employer’s responsibility to protect the applicant’s personal information, maintain confidentiality, and use the information gathered only for legitimate purposes.

Is it legal to run background checks on Lithuanian contractors?

Yes, if you have the contractor’s consent. It’s legal to run background checks on contractors in Lithuania (with the same caveats as background checks for employees). 

And you need to get it right. A background check verifies your new hire’s credentials, but it can also help you avoid onboarding a potential threat to your company.

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