Archive for February 2014
Three industries that should conduct pre-employment background screening
“possibly a few other specific jobs,” Clark wrote, though he stated that the majority of those who worked in departments such as public health, auditing services and county records prior to 2014 did not undergo any types of background checks in order to obtain their positions. Clark argued that the lack of pre-employment background screening…
Read MoreStudy: employment tests show increase in prescription drugs
Good news for employers: a study conducted by Quest Diagnostics has shown that illegal drug usage has decreased among employees over the past several years. The bad news is that, alternatively, there has been a rise in prescription drug usage, whether or not the drug has actually been prescribed to a particular patient. Drug-testing laboratory…
Read MoreMass. bill to repeal checks on pepper spray
Legislators in Massachusetts have introduced a series of bills to eliminate restrictions and licenses for those who wish to purchase pepper spray. Currently, the licenses and background checks that are required to purchase pepper spray are the same as those required to purchase firearms in the state. The state is working on stricter legislation to…
Read MoreTypes of background checks, and what you can expect
Some states now have “ban the box” laws to prevent discrimination; however, in some occupations, a felony can disqualify you from consideration, such as jobs in which employees are expected to work with children.) When you hire a background screening company, they get in touch with a candidate’s past employers, the county clerk in the…
Read MorePatch a potential option for drug testing
The Queen’s University Belfast’s School of Pharmacy in Northern Ireland has developed a new technology that may make drug testing easier, safer and less painful than current blood tests. The university is testing a sticky, plaster-like patch that utilizes tiny, polymer microneedles to test for drugs in the body’s interstitial fluid. Currently, drug tests can…
Read MoreColorado gun bill dead
After Colorado passed a law expanding the background check process required for purchasing firearms last March, a new bill was introduced attempting to roll back checks for private and online gun sales. The law was signed eight months after the July 2012 mass shooting in an Aurora movie theater, in which a lone gunman opened…
Read MoreReduce applicant background check identity mix-ups
A California man has sued a background check company that incorrectly listed him as a sex offender to a prospective employer and landlord, costing him both a job and a place to live during an applicant background check. The reason for the incorrect information? A man with a similar, but not identical, name had three…
Read MoreIowa aims to improve screening efficiency
Similar to how the Delaware government recently decided to review their child protection laws, Iowa’s Commission on Volunteer Service is now working to streamline background checks for volunteers, whether they help out in schools or other organizations, according to Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad. At least in Iowa, the problem doesn’t seem to be a lack…
Read MoreJanuary 2014: Employment rate holds steady
Bureau of Labor Statistics. This leaves the number of unemployed Americans at approximately 10.2 million. In January, the labor force increased by 499,000 full-time jobs, while part-time employees dropped by 514,000 to 7.3 million. The construction industry added 48,000 jobs in January, primarily in residential building and non-residential specialty contractors. Civil engineering jobs also were…
Read MoreHow Yellow Cab could have avoided a lawsuit
Yellow Cab has recently been under fire for allowing cab drivers to continue working despite causing — or being involved in — multiple accidents. Earlier this month, Yellow Cab owner Jack Bewley announced that all drivers working for the business now have accident insurance, and that the company regularly conducts inspections and background checks on…
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