Posts by Staff
U.S. Virgin Islands joins 'ban the box' movement
Last month, the U.S. Virgin Islands joined the ‘ban the box’ movement by enacting legislation regulating employers’ use of the criminal records of applicants and employees. The new Virgin Islands law: Prohibits employers from asking an applicant to disclose any information concerning: (i) an arrest or detention that did not result in a conviction; (ii)…
Read MoreWhat is a child abuse registry check?
For organizations that work with children, creating and maintaining a safe environment for these children is critical. This is where a child abuse registry check comes into play. A child abuse registry check allows an employer/organization to determine whether a prospective employee or volunteer has a record of child abuse or neglect. It’s an act…
Read MoreNovember 2018 employment: US adds 155,000 jobs
According to ‘The Employment Situation‘ report released by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate in the United States remained unchanged at 3.7 percent, while the economy added 155,000 jobs, in November. Over the year, the unemployment rate and the number of unemployed persons declined by 0.4 percentage point and…
Read MoreAmazon drivers say background checks discriminate against minorities
A group of black and Latino former drivers for Amazon have filed a lawsuit in Suffolk Superior Court, alleging that Amazon discriminated against them when it fired them based on a background check policy. The drivers claim that in 2016, Amazon began implementing an overly strict background check policy. This new policy caught old and…
Read MoreNearly 130 Chicago school workers out after background check review
A review of Chicago Public Schools’ background checks prompted by a newspaper investigation has resulted in 128 school district employees being terminated, recommended for dismissal or simply resigning under scrutiny. Among the 128 workers were nine teachers, 35 people classified as classroom aides, and an unspecified number of people the district lists as substitute or…
Read MoreWorkplace crime costs businesses $50 billion a year
A 2017 study by Hiscox, a global specialist insurer, found that U.S. businesses affected by employee theft lost an average of $1.13 million in 2016. According to Statistic Brain, it’s a crime that costs U.S. businesses $50 billion each year. Small and midsize businesses were hit disproportionately, representing 68% of the cases. Shockingly, 22% of cases were related…
Read MoreStudy: 1/3 of employees feel the greatest sense of belonging at work
Good news for employers: a third of workers feel the greatest sense of belonging in the workplace, according to EY’s Belonging Barometer study. The workplace came second in this regard, with 62% of survey respondents feeling a greater sense of belonging in their home. While today’s social climate has been associated with controversy and disagreements, this study…
Read MoreVoters in three states approve marijuana laws
According to recent polls conducted by Gallup and the Pew Research Center, the majority of Americans (61%) support legalization of cannabis for either medicinal or recreational purposes. This was evident on Election Day 2018, when voters in three states approved new marijuana laws. Voters approved medical marijuana laws in Missouri and Utah, while Michigan voters approved a recreational…
Read MoreEmployee hair drug testing: how does it work?
While urine drug tests have been the go-to for employers for many years, more and more employers are shifting towards hair drug testing. And it’s clear why. Hair drug testing provides up to a 90-day view of drug use history, compared to a urine drug test which may only be a few days. Additionally, some…
Read MoreOctober 2018 employment: US adds 250,000 jobs
According to ‘The Employment Situation‘ report released by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate in the United States remained unchanged at 3.7 percent, while the economy added 250,000 jobs, in October. Job gains occurred in health care, in manufacturing, in construction, and in transportation and warehousing. The number of…
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