Don't Let a Grinch Into Your Workforce: Why Holiday Hiring Requires Thorough Criminal Checks

Trevor Kruer • November 18, 2025


The holiday season brings joy, celebration, and an annual end-of-year rush for employers. Retail stores are staffing up, warehouses are working around the clock, hospitality is in full swing, and delivery teams are operating at peak capacity.


But with this fast-paced hiring surge comes something else many employers fail to anticipate: a major spike in workforce risk. For example, according to a multi-state analysis by ProPublica, temporary workers experienced 36%–72% higher injury rates compared to non-temporary workers.


Every December, businesses see a dramatic increase in temporary workers, short-term applicants, and high-volume hiring — all factors that can unintentionally open the door to a few “Grinches” slipping through the cracks.


During the holidays, when stores are crowded, shipments are constant, and teams are stretched thin, one wrong hire can cause a ripple effect of theft, safety incidents, or reputational harm. That’s why criminal background checks become even more critical this time of year.


The Holiday Season Brings Higher Risk — Here’s Why


December hiring has unique vulnerabilities that year-round processes don’t always account for:


1. More Applicants, Less Time


HR teams face intense time pressure to staff up quickly. That often leads to rushed decisions and overlooked red flags.


2. Increased Theft Opportunities


Statistically, workplace theft spikes during the holidays — especially in:


  • Retail stores
  • Distribution centers
  • Shipping/delivery roles
  • Hospitality environments


Without proper screening, employers increase their exposure during their busiest (and most profitable) time of year.


3. Higher Turnover, Lower Familiarity


Seasonal teams often include employees who may only stay a few weeks.
Limited time means:


  • Fewer opportunities to assess behavior
  • Less relationship-building
  • Higher risk of inconsistent oversight


4. Access to Sensitive Assets


Holiday hires may have access to:


  • Cash registers
  • Customer information
  • High-value inventory
  • Shipping systems
  • Keys or secure areas


Each of these access points dramatically raises the stakes for employers. The holidays magnify normal workforce risks — and only thorough criminal background checks can help keep them under control.


Why Criminal Background Checks Matter Now More Than Ever



Just like you wouldn’t leave gifts under the tree without locking the doors, you shouldn’t build a holiday workforce without verifying who you’re hiring.

Criminal background checks help employers:


  • Detect violent or theft-related offenses that pose risk
  • Identify candidates with patterns of dishonest behavior
  • Protect inventory, customer interactions, and company property
  • Maintain a safe and trustworthy environment for staff and customers
  • Avoid costly negligent hiring claims


In a season where workplace incidents can spike — and your business is more visible than ever — prevention is far cheaper than damage control.


Protect Your Workforce From Holiday Grinches


Whether you’re hiring 10 seasonal employees or 1,000, one bad hire can:


  • Disrupt operations
  • Cause inventory loss
  • Damage your customer relationships
  • Create safety issues
  • Increase liability
  • Hurt morale


Just like Santa checks his list twice, smart employers double-check their seasonal hires.


VeriCorp Helps You Screen Quickly, Thoroughly, and Confidently


Holiday hiring doesn’t leave room for delays or incomplete data. That’s why VeriCorp combines timely turnaround times with expert human verification to ensure each criminal background check is both accurate and reliable.


With VeriCorp, you get:


Expert-Verified Criminal Checks

Every report is reviewed by trained professionals — reducing errors, false positives, and compliance issues.


Fast Screening Designed for Holiday Timelines

Need to onboard quickly? No problem. We help you hire fast and hire safely.


Flexible Packages Based on Role Risk

Not every seasonal position requires the same depth of screening. We help you match the right level of criminal check to each job.


Compliant, Fair, and Transparent Results

Holiday chaos doesn’t excuse compliance mistakes. VeriCorp ensures every criminal check meets FCRA and state requirements.


Final Thoughts: Safety Is the Greatest Gift You Can Give Your Business


As the holiday season ramps up, it’s easy to prioritize speed over diligence. But the companies that thrive — during December and beyond — are the ones committed to hiring with intention, consistency, and care.


VeriCorp is here to make that easier, faster, more accurate, and far more reliable than automated-only systems.


This season, keep your workplace merry, bright, and safe — with criminal background checks you can trust. Want an extra set of “elf eyes” on your background checks?


Our team is ready to help you screen smarter this season. Contact us today!