What term describes the liability of hiring someone with a known history of issues, such as theft?

Negligent hiring refers to the legal responsibility that employers have when they hire individuals who may pose a risk to the organization, its employees, or the public. This term is particularly relevant when an employer hires someone with a known history of problematic behavior, such as theft or violence, and fails to conduct a proper background check or disregards red flags.

This liability arises because the employer could be seen as failing to exercise adequate care in the hiring process, which can ultimately lead to harm or losses. By understanding negligent hiring, companies can implement more thorough vetting procedures to mitigate risks associated with hiring individuals who may have a detrimental impact on the work environment or the organization's reputation.

In contrast, unintentional discrimination typically centers on practices that unintentionally favor one group over another, rather than on the hiring of individuals with known issues. Wrongful termination deals with the dismissal of employees without just cause, which is unrelated to the hiring process. Employee misconduct refers to inappropriate behavior exhibited by an employee after they have been hired, which does not encompass the liability during the hiring phase.