Background Checks: In the News!
A simple search of the internet reveals hundreds of stories about background screening and background checks. Every day someone in the United States is affected by the use of a background check, the result of a background check, or information provided by a background check.
There are a number of areas one might not realize a background check has a significant influence.
A couple of recent stories are highlighted below.
In Chicago a new ride-sharing service has taken root. Unfortunately there have been issues with background checks on drivers.
From the Chicago Tribune (Feb. 14, 14)
Chicago's new ride-sharing services market their drivers as friendly and safe, asserting they have passed stringent criminal background checks.
But a Tribune investigation revealed that one of the companies, Uber, did not check some of the criminal records of its drivers, allowing thousands of drivers to ferry passengers for months, despite not knowing whether or not they had felony convictions. http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2014-02-14/news/ct-rideshare-background-checks-met-20140214_1_background-checks-ride-sharing-drivers/2
Understanding a criminal record history is critical, especially when an individual comes in contact with the public.
Adam Almeida, President and CEO of CriminalBackgroundRecords.com states: The legal use of a criminal history can be tricky and any company utilizing criminal histories as part of their employment process really should rely on a third-party background screening company to conduct them. The true goal of background screening is protecting assets, from property to personnel, and the public.
In a related story, a Dallas car service company ran into issues with their pre-employment background checks.
From CBS Local (Dallas: Feb. 20, 14):
is in the process of re-screening all of its Dallas
drivers with an expanded background check after the company said it discovered the multi-state database it used to check the criminal records of its drivers was missing conviction records. http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2014/02/20/dallas-ride-sharing-service-finds-gaps-in-criminal-background-checks/
Almeida adds: It is critical that a company understand the depth and breadth of a background check. Often companies conduct a background check in vetting employees but these checks are cursory at best. Companies should really conduct as thorough a background check as possible, one that utilizes current databases and county court records. In the end it will be a significant benefit in reducing risk.
A situation in Sacramento, California highlights the complex issue of when and where a background check is conducted. Thousands of workers responsible for the care of at-risk populations, specifically the elderly and children, were cleared for work before a background check.
From KCRA.com: (Feb. 26, 14)
When you take your children to a daycare or visit your parents in an assisted living facility, you might assume they are in good hands. But a KCRA 3 investigation has found that the state of California is giving out letters, clearing people to work before they investigate their arrests -- sometimes for serious crimes. http://www.kcra.com/news/state-clears-daycare-nursing-home-workers-before-background-checks/24697902#ixzz2v8uNLG9w
Ultimately the issue highlighted above becomes one that falls into the hands of the California State Legislature, but it certainly points to the complexity in hiring.
Almeida states: The best thing a company or organization can do in vetting a paid employee or unpaid volunteer is to conduct a thorough and legal background check. And a third-party background screening company is the best way for HR departments to conduct pre-employment background checks. The rules and regulations governing background screening have become increasingly complex and evolutionary in nature.
In the end, background checks touch daily life, sometimes in surprising ways.
CriminalBackgroundRecords.com is a third-party background screening company that can provide companies and organizations large and small with all aspects of employment background screening.
This has been a CriminalBackgroundRecords.com News Publication - All rights reserved
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