A couple of weeks ago, a friend of mine was in the final stages of securing an internship position with a company. He was caught off guard by the fact that his employment could not be guaranteed until his I-9 came back clear (as his father had been with the company for decades prior). The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, has issued fines and penalties reaching of dollars, leaving companies big and small feeling vulnerable.
So watch out for the ICE-man. He will find you.
Employment screening vendors offer an array of different features and options. Some of these companies focus on the core needs of background screening, such as background checks, drug testing, I-9 verification, employment and income verification, and personal background screening for criminal records.
Others offer more comprehensive services, such as forensic hypnosis and investigative services for violent threats.
I envision the person who does this as a cross between Dexter Morgan and Modern Family’s Claire Dunphy. Maybe? I dunno.
What you should look for in a screening company depends on your needs — to start, look for one who will make sure you don’t hire a violent illegal immigrant with a criminal background and a casual meth habit.
For some background-screening vendors, the “screening” part is one of many features offered. Many offer a package deal with e-recruitment, screening and onboarding bundled together. Some also offer talent management, assessment and screening.
Whatever your company’s size or needs, there are more than enough options out there to accommodate. Some vendors do it all, while others specialize in specific areas.
Something that I wasn’t aware of is how many features are out there when it comes to screening. Vendor screening, after-hire screening, sexual-harassment investigation, violent-threat investigation and conflict resolution are just a few. The list goes on and on.
Some companies to look at were listed by HRO Today’s Baker’s Dozen for employment screening, and some I found on my own.
- Universal Background Screening
- SecurTest
- TalentWise
- Global HR Research (GHRR)
- Orange Tree Employment Screening
- EmployeeScreenIQ
What do you think? What did I miss?
Inquiring minds want to know!
{ 4 comments }
There is this giant thing called “Background Screening” – companies say they use it because they want to keep “us” safe. Many background screening processes are like putting people through a colander with giant holes – everyone gets through. But what is worse now is after the Sandusky trial all these people running around mandating criminal background checks to keep perverts away from kids – like it’s really going to help! NOT. Months ago I read about an assessment tool (like many commonly used by police, firefighters, etc.) that POSITIVELY, scientifically identifies CHILD SEXUAL ABUSERS or those who will enable abuse because they don’t understand what boundaries should exist between children and adults but no one is making a BIG DEAL about it. THE DIANA SCREEN, developed by a well respected, highly acclaimed specialist in the field, Dr. Gene Abel, and a test that is evidence based. People say they care but don’t act it. WHY isn’t someone screaming from the rooftops —- “SCREEN all volunteers and employees who will work among children and youth with the DIANA SCREEN!” It’s real, it works – don’t believe this — go to their website — google it, it’s the real deal. What are you waiting for?
Thousands of children will be sexual abused TODAY – you really don’t have time to check it out? There’s more to background screening – lots more.
Thanks for highlighting this. – Laurie Ruettimann, Director of Social Media @ The Starr Conspiracy
This is good information, however, you missed an assessment that measures the sexual boundaries between adults and children. And with all of the things like Jerry Sandusky at Penn State and Bobby Dodd, the President and CEO at the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), people need to look at more than just background screening. Only 6% of people who commit sex offenses against children ever even get convicted and thus show up in a criminal background check. 6% is a very small number. While background checks are a piece of the puzzle, there are other pieces that need to be considered, including the Diana Screen offered by SingleSource Services Corporation, a background screening company in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. The Diana Screen assessment is used by the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta and the North Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice, to name a few, and is a proven tool to help prevent child sexual abuse.
Thanks for highlighting this assessment, Staci. – Laurie Ruettimann