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Copyright 2001 The
Deseret News Publishing Co.
The Deseret News (Salt
Lake City, UT)
October 21, 2001, Sunday
By Lois M. Collins,
Deseret News staff writer
More companies are
hiring investigators to look into the backgrounds of current and
prospective employees. And interest in the practice has increased since the
terrorist attacks, according to a Salt Lake City private investigator.
Access Research and
Investigations is one of a dozen local companies that do background
searches for employers, from property managers to people who hire seasonal
workers to clean condos to businesses like jewelry stores.
Companies decide what
information's important to them, said private investigator Corey Draper of
Access. One company wants a professional license verified; another is
looking for criminal background. Transport companies want to know about DUI
convictions; child-care centers about any allegations of abuse. Often, the
investigators verify only address, Social Security number and educational
background. Some companies want all the information they can get.
An online provider of
employee-screening services this month told Reuters News Service that
requests for background checks are up about 130 percent over last year,
especially following the terrorist attacks. Companies most interested in
screening workers have been hospitals, retailers and those that own private
jets, he said.
One factor driving
increased background checks: More employers are being sued for
"negligent hiring" for not thoroughly checking the backgrounds of
potential employees, according to the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse.
Background checks are also
popular because former employers may fear getting sued if they say
something negative about a worker.
The need has increased,
as well, Draper said, since "bad guys" have become more
sophisticated about creating fraudulent documents. There are even companies
that will "verify" bogus employment and education claims for a
fee. A good background check can cut through lies.
Some companies don't
realize that employees must agree to the background checks. A refusal,
however, could forfeit the job.
A background check can
take in everything from driving, criminal and court records to character
references, property ownership, state licensing records, vehicle
registration, neighbor interviews, credit and medical records (now harder
to access because of medical privacy rules -- unless a company
self-insures), military service and bankruptcy, as well as employment
history and education. The potential employer might also wish to talk to
your present supervisor -- not good if you're testing the waters or simply
don't want your current boss to know.
Draper said companies
have legitimate need for such information. One truck driver's DUI can cause
the company's insurance to skyrocket, for instance.
Background checks aren't
foolproof, he notes. Sometimes information is wrong and needs to be
corrected. Information may be linked to the wrong individual, though
investigators try to verify at least date of birth and Social Security
number to be sure they have the right link.
People can avoid that
kind of error by asking if something in their background check kept them
from being hired. In many cases, the employer will volunteer the
information. If information is wrong, most companies will let you fix it or
at least appeal the decision. And private investigators will try very hard,
he said, to correct information that was wrong, once they learn of it.
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