What is negligent hiring?

Negligent hiring refers to the failure of an employer to conduct a thorough and reasonable investigation of an applicant's background before making a hiring decision. This concept is rooted in the responsibility that employers have to ensure that the individuals they hire do not pose a risk to their company, employees, or customers.

When employers do not exercise reasonable care—such as checking references, conducting background checks, or validating previous employment— they may inadvertently hire individuals who could engage in misconduct or harmful behavior once employed. If such a situation arises, and it can be shown that the employer failed to take the necessary precautions to vet the candidate, this can lead to legal ramifications, including liability for any resulting injuries or damages caused by that employee.

Therefore, the essence of negligent hiring lies in the lack of due diligence in the hiring process, making option C the correct answer.