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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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Every year, as we move through fall, many companies begin their seasonal hiring processes. From retail stores to restaurants to consumer delivery, a plethora of industries boost their employment levels during the holiday season. Given the short time-frame, however, many work in haste and cut corners. Seasonal positions are known for their quick hires and…

The New Orleans City Council unanimously passed an ordinance that prevents city contractors from asking about potential hires’ criminal history on their job applications — a measure that extends an existing City Hall policy to people who want to work under employers with city contracts, cooperative endeavor grants or grant funding. Sponsored by Councilwoman Kristin…

Earlier this month, background check professionals came together for the 2018 NAPBS Conference. If the conference is a litmus test for what to expect in employment screening in the coming months and years, one thing is clear: International background checks should be a priority for employers and screeners alike. Various sessions spoke about the topic of international background…