Final answer:
Employers mainly conduct background checks and reference verifications to confirm job-related attributes like work history and qualifications, ensuring applicant integrity while adhering to EEOC laws that proscribe discrimination based on personal characteristics.
Step-by-step explanation:
When employers conduct background investigations and reference checks, the primary goal is to verify a candidate’s work ethic, previous employment history, and if they have other desirable qualities like a strong energy level and perseverance. These checks are also performed to ensure the integrity of the information provided by the applicant. Due to laws enforced by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), employers are prohibited from making hiring decisions based on characteristics such as age, marital status, military service, ethnic background, or disability history. Therefore, when looking into references and background, employers are seeking verifiable attributes including qualifications, work history, awards, and educational background that signal an individual’s potential job performance.