Background Checks

Tap federal program to gain ‘insurance’ on risky hires

09/01/2004

Issue: You face risks when hiring ex-cons, recovering addicts and other “second-chance” applicants. Benefit: A little-known federal program makes it easier …

Warn managers never to disclose medical info about former workers

08/01/2004

When checking applicants’ references, some employers like to do an “end run” around the HR department. They’ll call the applicant’s former supervisor directly to find out the dirt on the person. …

Extract golden nuggets from reluctant references

07/01/2004

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Hiring drivers? Collect more background information

06/01/2004

Organizations that hire commercial drivers must now collect, and provide to other employers, more details from their driver applicants.
Reason: The U.S. Transportation Department’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) …

Hire drivers? Start collecting more background info

06/01/2004

The U.S. Transportation Department has unveiled new rules that require employers to more closely review applicants’ professional driving safety records and drug-testing history. The rules also require you to make that …

Verifying education claims? Don’t just call the school

05/01/2004

Issue: Applicants are taking rÃ©sumÃ© fraud to a new high-tech level.
Risk: Hackers could alter an applicant’s school records, undermining your background check …

Don’t rely on ‘self-service’ background checks

04/01/2004

If job candidates approach you with a written report attesting to the validity of their rÃ©sumÃ©s, don’t stop your background check there. Probe deeper with your own, independent check. New …

Don’t count on total immunity from references

04/01/2004

Q. I have a question about providing honest feedback during reference requests. Is it better to defend the fact that I provided a truthful (negative) assessment, rather than trying to explain why I can’t give any reference at all? Aren’t we protected by negligent referral and reference immunity laws? —M.R., Utah

How to prevent growing risk of ‘negligent supervision’ suits

03/01/2004

Thorough background checks can help you defeat any negligent hiring claim.
But what if applicants’ background checks come up clean, yet they begin displaying troublesome behavior at your workplace. In …

‘Angel of death’ case highlights the risk of negligent hiring lawsuits

02/01/2004

When news reports surfaced in December that a New Jersey hospital nurse admitted to killing 30 to 40 patients in his 14-year career, a pattern of lax background checks emerged.
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