Hiring Mistakes Cost Companies

A recent survey by Occupational Health and Safety outlines the trouble hiring mistakes can afford small to mid size companies. Three out of four employers say they've hired one employee they wish they hadn't. Twelve percent of those respondents say that hiring mistake alone cost them about $10,000!

"The businesses we talk to say they are seeing more individuals lying on their résumés or exaggerating their skill sets in order to get scarce jobs. In a down economy, small business owners must be especially vigilant when they bring on new employees," says SurePayroll President Michael Alter.

Most mistakes are being made by negligent or poor hiring decisions. Skipping crucial steps along the way during the hiring process cost these business big:

• "We hired an employee without doing a background check, and then I caught her stealing."
• "We rely mainly on a strong 'gut feeling' to determine if the candidate seems qualified and references check out."
• "Our hiring errors have been largely due to time constraints--we needed to fill a position fast and quickly chose what appeared to be the best applicant from resumes received."

"For small business owners, the psychological and economic strain of making a hiring mistake can be a massive burden on the company," Alter says. "What's more, these kinds of hiring mistakes can be reduced or avoided altogether by implementing proper precautionary measures. Investing in pre-employment screening services is worth the small upfront investment."

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Driving Records Reveal Bad Track Record

Most people feel their driving record is not a major reflection of their character, but motor vehicle reports can be just as important and as effective as running a criminal background check.
That's what Andrew Seekings has discovered after facing nearly a dozen traffic violations when he hopped on his motorcycle in a local neighborhood and travelled at speeds close to 140 MPH with cocaine in his pocket. He is charged with possession of a controlled substance, reckless driving, driving on a revoked license, driving an uninsured motor vehicle, two counts of speeding and five other traffic offenses after the high-speed drive early Thursday evening through parts of his hometown.

The cocaine charge will be a felony offense, but the other charges are considered traffic violations. Only an MVR report could reveal the dangerous character behind this man's criminal record.

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Minnesota Stalling on E-Verify

Minnesota governer Tim Pawlenty ordered that all state agencies and contracters use the E-Verify system for new employees eighteen months ago. A recent state audit found the use of E-Verify to be loose at best. The governer's own office hasn't screened any new hires since the mandate came down.

No Minnesota state agency has used the federal electronic identity-check system known as E-Verify, according to the office of the Legislative Auditor. All in all over 7,000 workers were hired last year.

The lack of oversight is bureacracy. The state is attempting to work with a vendor to secure a centralized system for screening the new hires. Presumably, they need a specific process.

E-Verify, when used properly is a very effective means to deter illegal immigration at the very source of the problem. The burden of the administration of this extremely effective program falls into the employers lap. Lack of oversight could cause serious problems if a company's program was audited.

Minnesota state agencies will presumably begin using this program, hopefully the stall has given them the time needed to create an excellent oversight program

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Background Checks Aren't Just for Employers

Just for fun, I thought we'd discuss the online dating industry. So many people utilize sites like Match.com and eHarmony to find love, and why shouldn't they? In a a growing world, it can be harder to connect with like-minded individuals. Online opportunites and website are soaring, but with all the profile indroductions and "About Me" sections, how can you be sure somebody is being truthful? How can you trust what you read?

Just like pre-employment background screening, people inflate their dating "resumes." Some say they are single when they are married. Some lie about how much money they make. While a little digging isn't likely to turn up exact truths about a person, it doesn't hurt to investigate somebody before you get serious about them.

The important things to focus on when exploring somebody's background check is to reveal criminal history and marital status. Lots of times, people are not what they want you to see.

Just a warning from Liberty Screening. We take pride in protecting you in your workplace and hope our security precautions can be used as a guide in your private life as well.

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Train Operators' Spotty Driving Records

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NY State Law Hides Criminal Records from Potential Employees

Convicted felons in New York now have the right to conceal their criminal records from potential employees, including school districts, day-care centers and nursing homes. Eligible convictions include drug sale and possession charges, as well as burglary and grand larceny charges.

Young offenders in the state of New York already have protection by being able to apply for the youthful offender status to have their records sealed. Many employers are upset that the new law hides even more criminal information from them.

Superintendent Michael Shea said he had not heard of the provision,"it seems there was very little, if any, public discussion about this."

Sen. James L. Seward, R-Oneonta, and Sen. John Bonacic, R-Mount Hope, are co-sponsoring legislation to repeal the provision, which Bonacic dubs the "Drug Dealers Protection Act" in a media release.

"This change defies all common sense because it would effectively wipe the slate clean for drug dealers who undergo criminal background checks when seeking employment in certain positions," Seward said last week. "This means convicted drug dealers could be taking care of children at a day-care center or as a nanny, teaching at a school, or working at a nursing home or some other position of trust."


Gov. David Paterson, a Democrat, has defended the provision, as has Democratic Assembly Leader Sheldon Silver. Democrats have also controlled the Senate this year, but a vote Monday switched the Senate to GOP control through a coalition with two New York City Democrats.

Lopez, Seward and Bonacic said the measure is a result of a state budget process held behind closed doors.

"The changes to New York's drug laws were rushed through as part of the state's secret budget process," Bonacic said in the release. "The New York City Democrats who controlled the budget process claimed to be thrilled with these changes, and now we see the results. Secret negotiations combined with a soft-on-crime attitude have left New York with a dangerous public policy we must stop."


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License Supsended for Resume Lies

A 60-day license suspension is being recommended for Garland Stillwell, a former attorney for Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman after it was discovered that he inflated his credentials on his resume.

He also charged personal expenses to the company credit credit card. Among other transgressions, he also used firm employees to send out a false employment verification for a friend who no longer worked at Pillsbury.

The suspension to some, seems like a slap on the wrist. But those wary of hiring somebody with a past like this need only use a Professional License Verification service to view the history of attorneys licenses. The suspension will appear on any verification during the 60-day period and will remain in the license history.

The report by the committee said a harsher penalty was not warranted because of mitigating factors. Stillwell had acknowledged the violations, reimbursed the firm, participated in counseling and had no prior violations.

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Drug Tests for California Lawmakers?

That is what some are suggesting, though they will need to gather 430,000 signatures in 150 days to get the initiative on the floor for a vote.

"Drug testing and sobriety checkpoints? I can't walk a straight line because I have vertigo so I don't know if I would pass that test," said Assemblywoman Norma Torres, D-Ontario.

The ballot is about getting proof that the lawmakers are not on drugs or alcohol, and many site the financial difficulty the state has faced a good reason to keep track of the legislation.

"It certainly can appear like there's some serious substance abuse going on when you see some of these crazy votes," said Assemblyman Anthony Adams, R-Los Angeles.

The proposal is getting a few laughs around the Capitol, but testing for any intoxicated politicians won't solve California's low cash flow.

"I think what's going on in California is what is going on globally. It's the economy, stupid," Assemb. Torres said. "It really is."

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Minor's Extensive Driving Record

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New Findings: When to Hire Somebody With Criminal History

Carnegie Mellon University's new study researches the length of time when an ex-convict has been "clean" long enough to be considered "redeemed" for employment. Estimates show that it takes about five years crime-free for an individual with criminal history to be "at no greater risk of committing another crime than other individuals of the same age."

Currently, employers receive criminal information dating back seven years in accordance with the FCRA. As Alfred Blumstein, co-author, said however, "Hiring an ex-offender was a totally arbitrary decision. We believe our model can change that and help provide employers with data in making such decisions. Or it can be used by state criminal record repositories in deciding when a prior arrest is too 'stale' to warrent distributing."

The study used 88,000 criminal history records of first time offenders and most commited new crimes within the first few years after their inital arrest. A small minority had a newarrest after remaining clean for at least five years. They are placed at the same level of risk as individuals with no criminal history and who are of the same age.

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High School Principal Employed with Criminal Record

Oklahoma: Michael James Maples, principal at Memorial High School in Oklahoma City attested in his application that he had not been convicted of crimes other than traffic offenses to obtain his position as principal.

The laundry list of offenses Maples has racked up since 1980 include attempted larceny, alteration of public records, and wearing unauthorized badges and awards in a military court.

Maples claimed to be a military officer after he was demoted. He lied about being picked to teach at the United States Military Academy.

In 2008, he faced serious charges of stealing from an Oklahoma school district he once worked for.

How these crimes were able to remain hidden from district authorities is a mystery. Maples was convicted, yet again, on May 26 of making a false statement to obtain property or credit, and tampering with a government record. Maples will serve 10 years probation for his crime.

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