| Could the brutal rape and murder of Imette St. | | | | days of relying only on reference calls to screen |
| Guillen, the 24-year old graduate student in New | | | | new hires. With increasing security concerns, |
| York City, have been prevented? Some people | | | | corporate scandals, and workplace violence, |
| think so. And I'm one of them.The prime suspect, | | | | pre-employment screening is not only on the |
| Darryl Littlejohn, who was indicted for the | | | | rise-it's becoming standard operating policy. And at |
| murder, has a long rap sheet, including multiple | | | | all levels. For presidents and CEOs, to the people |
| drug offenses and robberies and had served time | | | | in your creative department, to warehouse |
| in prison. And according to the terms of his | | | | workers and call center |
| parole, wasn't allowed to work-anywhere-after | | | | representatives.Pre-employment screening is |
| 9pm.The alleged killer met his victim in the bar | | | | often conducted by or outsourced to third party |
| where he worked as a bouncer. In New York, as | | | | consumer reporting agencies, as defined by the |
| in other cities and states, it's the law to do | | | | Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) of the Federal |
| criminal background checks on people who work | | | | Trade Commission.You not only can get |
| in certain kinds of jobs and businesses: like | | | | information on job applicants, but background |
| bouncers, security guards, airport workers-even | | | | checks on your current employees, too. You're |
| Wall Street brokers. The bar owner admitted he | | | | able to get: court-by-court searches of criminal |
| didn't do the required background check prior to | | | | records nationwide, with up to date criminal |
| hiring Littlejohn.So what does this grisly big city | | | | activity, motor vehicle reports, social security |
| crime have to do with your business and | | | | traces, employment credit reports, workers' |
| workplace issues? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. | | | | compensation filings, employment, education, and |
| Unless a person like this is working in your | | | | professional license verifications, and reference |
| distribution center.Separating the Pros From The | | | | interviews. Also provided are drug and alcohol |
| ConsIs employment screening currently part of | | | | testing, employment physicals and Form I-9 |
| your hiring process? Are criminal background | | | | services (Immigration Reform and Control |
| checks part of company policy? If not, they | | | | Act).What does it cost?In some cases, expect to |
| should be. Regardless of the size of your | | | | pay a screening organization a one-time setup or |
| business.Over 82% of HR professionals report | | | | administrative fee of $100 or more for your |
| that their companies do background checks of | | | | company, plus the costs of the background |
| new hires, up from 66% in 1996 according to The | | | | searches you want done. The fees are not that |
| Society for Human Resource Management, | | | | much and discounts are usually given for multiple |
| Workplace Violence Survey.Last year, a client | | | | screenings done within a year.Setting up a |
| experienced a serious theft problem in his | | | | screening program policyThe FCRA sets the |
| warehouse. It took several months for the | | | | standards for screening for employment. It |
| numbers to reveal the extent of the theft.In | | | | defines a background check as a consumer |
| retrospect, the employee who stole from his | | | | report. Before you can get a consumer report for |
| employer would have flunked background checks | | | | employment purposes, you must notify the job |
| in three areas. He was on probation. He owed | | | | candidate in writing and get written authorization. |
| restitution for the crime he had committed. His bill | | | | This can be included within your company's |
| paying history was bad news because of how | | | | employment application form. If you're simply |
| much he had to repay. A background check of his | | | | conducting inquiries-rather than running |
| criminal history and his credit record may have | | | | reports-you should also get consent.Take the time |
| caused our client to make a different choice (they | | | | necessary to educate yourself on the process. |
| were giving him a chance). But, the extent of his | | | | Many small business agencies such as SCORE or |
| problems was never revealed.It's all about | | | | the Small Business Administration (SBA) can |
| reducing riskEmployment screening is your front | | | | provide counsel. Visit your state and local |
| line of defense. Your first and best opportunity to | | | | government's websites on FCRA and Americans |
| eliminate candidates who are dangerous, dishonest | | | | With Disabilities Act (ADA).Become familiar with all |
| or have a history of poor work performance. | | | | necessary disclosure, adverse action, and other |
| Pre-employment screening is a necessary hiring | | | | critical forms and letters you'll need to be FCRA |
| practice to avoid lawsuits and costly hiring | | | | and state-law compliant. A third party, as part of |
| mistakes.Wouldn't it be nice to know that the new | | | | its service, generally takes care of much of this |
| person you're hiring is telling the truth? Absolutely. | | | | work.Be safe. Be smart. Don't wait. |
| But don't count on it. It's estimated that up to | | | | Pre-employment background screening should |
| 40% of resumes can contain false or tweaked | | | | now be standard practice of operating your |
| information. It's up to you and your company to | | | | business.Les Gore is founder and managing |
| make sure you're getting in an employee | | | | partner of Executive Search International, a |
| everything that what was represented and | | | | Boston-based, nationally recognized search firm |
| promised. You're not only responsible, you're | | | | and a 23-year vetern of the "recruiting wars. |
| liable.What is background checking?Gone are the | | | | |