Background Checks on In-Home Contractors Should Never Be Overlooked; States CriminalBackgroundRecords.com
A recent article posted on CBC News website (Dec. 15, 15) describes an alleged criminal act while highlighting the need for background checks on any potential in-home contractors or contractors that may have unsupervised access to the home. Adam Almeida, President and CEO of CriminalBackgroundRecords.com states: “It is critical to background check or, at a minimum, review a background check of any contractor granted unsupervised access to the home in order to protect property and family.”
Contractors enter the home every day and are often unsupervised. Many times clients assume these contractors are background checked, either by an associated trade group or employer. This may not always be the case.
In a recent report posted to www.CBCNews.ca highlights the need for a thorough background check of any in-home contractor is highlighted.
From www.CBCNews.ca (Dec. 15, 15):
A couple in St. John's say some of their best jewelry went missing when they used a professional moving company in New Brunswick that advertised a policy of background checks for employees, but ended up hiring someone with a criminal record to help do the job. (1)
According to the article all employees of the moving company are thoroughly vetted and background checked, but it appears one employee slipped through the cracks and did not receive pre-employment screening. Ultimately it was proven this employee had a criminal past and while under suspicion no charges were presented.
Adam Almeida, President and CEO of CriminalBackgroundRecords.com states: “Criminal background checks can discover a criminal past which, subsequently, may inform to potential future behavior of an individual. Background checks provide a safeguard insomuch that they create a barrier to potential misbehavior. If an individual has a criminal history they should expect it to be discovered during a background check.”
Hiring a contractor is often unavoidable as there are a great many tasks around home that the owner may not be qualified to conduct or unwilling, such as moving a household of furniture.
When hiring a contractor a first step should be to find one that is licensed thereby eliminating some risk.
From bizjournals.com (Dec. 22, 15):
Most people don’t understand the risks, and therefore don’t do the proper background checks on contractors, and they often end up regretting it. Having a license is critical because it protects both parties from anything that might go wrong during the process. (2)
Unfortunately an in-home contractor can commit an act greater than simple theft. It is critical to understand who comes into the home. Checking for proper identification, the appropriate vehicle with company markings, and arriving at a specific time are all key. So is a background check.
One owner of a contracting company is adamant about their requirements.
From KSFY.com (Jan. 05, 16):
“If we've got somebody going into someone's home, we're not going to hire someone that has a history of violence, drug use, sexual abuse or anything like that; that’s a reputation we have to maintain as a company,” Halverson said. (3)
Almeida states: “In the end the best and safest practice is ensuring any contractor entering the home is fully vetted and background checked. It is one of the most important steps a client can do in order to protect family and property.”
CriminalBackgroundRecords.com is a third-party pre-employment background company that can provide background screening packages for companies large and small. Having access to on-line databases as well as researchers working in county courthouses, CriminalBackgroundRecords.com can provide fast, accurate, and thorough report packages.
Notes:
- cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/couple-shocked-moving-company-sent-employee-with-criminal-record-into-their-home-1.3364512
- bizjournals.com/orlando/blog/2015/12/the-importance-of-hiring-a-licensed-contractor.html
- ksfy.com/home/headlines/Who-are-you-letting-into-your-home-364197221.html
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