Background Checks for New Employees

By adding background checks to the screening process for new employees, employers can verify applicant information, reduce the risk of theft and workplace violence and improve the general quality of the candidate pool.

Prior to performing any background screening, the employer should have a written policy in place which describes the details of the screening process. Some of the information that may be included is a description of who will be screened (i.e., applicants only, all employees, managers only), when screening will occur (i.e., pre-employment only, annually), what paperwork is necessary, what type of background check will be performed, who will have access to the information, who will decide how the information will be used, and who will be responsible for adhering to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and state law compliance.

Employers should consult legal counsel regarding how they use potentially adverse information as part of their hiring criteria. For example, many states prohibit the use of an applicant’s arrest record (as opposed to convictions) when making a hiring decision. Also, decisions based on criminal convictions may be subject to the nature/gravity of the offense, the time that has elapsed since conviction or sentence completion and the nature of the job assignment.

In general, employers will find it more cost efficient and accurate to hire a third-party background screening company. Many of these background screening companies are members of the National Association of Professional Background Screeners and will provide information to the employer about the legal requirements of the screening process.

The FCRA defines screening companies as “consumer reporting agencies” and the background reports are defined as “consumer reports.”

Under the FCRA, employers must:

1. Have a written disclosure to the individual that a consumer report will be obtained. This disclosure must occur before the background check is obtained and it must be a separate document from the employment application.

2. Obtain written authorization from the individual prior to requesting the consumer report.

3. If the employer plans on taking any adverse action based on the consumer report, the employer must provide two notices to the individual – one notice before taking adverse action and another when the adverse action occurs.

4. Before taking the adverse action, the employer must provide applicant/employee with a copy of the consumer report and a summary of the applicant’s/employee’s rights under the Act (these rights can be found at www.ftc.gov)

5. After providing this information the employer must wait for a period of time (usually 5 days) before taking the adverse action. This waiting period allows the individual to identify any inaccuracies in the consumer report.

6. Upon taking the adverse action, the employer must provide the individual with a Notice of Adverse Action taken, the contact information of the consumer reporting agency, and a notice of the consumer’s right to dispute the accuracy of the report with the reporting agency.

Employers should also make sure background checks have been performed on their temporary workers and independent contractors. If the employer is using a staffing agency, the employer must inform the staffing agency the employer has a background screening policy. All applicants that the staffing company refers should be screened and all FCRA and state laws followed, including getting written authorization from the applicant.

Bruce E. Loren & Associates specializes in drafting policies to enable your company to conduct background checks in compliance with applicable laws, and in advising businesses in the appropriate use of information obtained from background searches. Bruce E. Loren & Associates is an AV-rated business and construction litigation law firm, also specializing in all employment-related issues for our clients. If you have any questions about this article or any employment-related issue, please contact Bruce Loren or Cara Barrick.

3 Great Ways to Shake Up the Workplace

Let’s face it, after feeling the impact of the recession, from salary freezes to paycuts and layoffs, change in the workplace had a bad rap. We all wanted stability and security. But now, businesses are worrying about turnover and employee engagement as more and more employees feel frustrated with the status quo. John F. Kennedy once said, “change is the law of life.” It’s inevitable. But it’s also important to remember that change isn’t always bad. Often times, it’s great. If your employees are tired of the same ole’ same ole’ at work, now may be the perfect time to shake your workplace up and make some changes for the better.

Here are three easy ways to get started before the new year.

Renovate Your Office Space
Changing your environment can change your entire outlook, and the great news is, it doesn’t have to be big. Anything from a fresh coat of paint to finally getting to that overdue cleanup-day can go a long way to brighten up your work environment and refresh your team’s perspective.

Rearranging office space into specific zones like a meeting and brainstorming space that’s far away from distracting emails and phone calls will be conducive to an environment of focus that can help increase productivity. And switching cubicles and changing workspaces can mean building a more cohesive team that works well together.

Makeover Outdated Policies and Procedures
Policies and procedures are important to every business, but they can quickly become out of date. Doing something a specific way simply because that’s how it’s always been done doesn’t mean it’s always the most efficient way. If you suspect you have some outdated policies or procedures in place, ask your team to offer suggestions for improving things. It will give your employees a chance to share their input and ideas, make them feel like they’re contributing to the overall department, and hopefully mean innovative and effective changes for your workforce.

Declare a “No Meeting Day”
In a recent survey by Express Employment Professionals, 51% of business leaders said meetings were the biggest drain of their time. Studies show the average worker spends approximately six hours a week – more if you’re a manager or executive – in meetings. If too many meetings are taking away from your employees’ already busy schedules, break away from the norm and pick a day in the week where you declare meetings off limits. Take time to evaluate some of your regularly scheduled meetings to see if there’s anything you can cut out or find ways to make them more productive. Just think what you could do with even just an extra hour a week. Think about what it would mean if every employee had an extra hour or two to complete projects or brainstorm new ideas.

You don’t have to make big changes around the office to help reengage your staff and improve performance and productivity. Every step you take to better your company, whether it’s by changing the work environment or improving procedures, can make a big difference.

What Bad Habits are You Teaching Your Employees

As a leader, you have a lot on your plate. Budgets, projects, office politics and employee management all have to be juggled, and sometimes it can feel like more than one person can handle. In the midst of it all, it’s hard not to pick up a bad habit or two. But, if left unchecked, your employees could start following your lead and your bad workplace habits could spread like wildfire.

Check out these three easy-to-pick-up bad habits to ensure you’re not passing negative behaviors on to your team.

“It wasn’t my fault!”
It’s been said that a good leader takes a little more than his share of the blame and a little less than his share of praise. Sure you can meet with your team members in private to share critical feedback and what needs to change in the future. But throwing your team under the bus in front of your clients, executives or other departments is a quick way to kill morale and destroy loyalty. On the other hand, sharing the credit with your team will help build trust and loyalty, which will go a long way to creating an engaged and happy workforce!

“Can you take care of that for me?”
Did you hire a specialist or an admin? Unless getting your coffee, cleaning up your dishes, and tracking your schedule is directly in someone’s job description, refrain from regularly asking them to cater to you. There’s no problem with a give and take relationship – you help them out and they help you out. But, expecting others to take care of you every day is not only taking them away from the job you hired them to do, it could also foster resentment that could lead to future turnover.

“I just need to vent.”
Everyone has bad days, and it’s healthy for everyone, including leaders, to be able to vent in a safe environment. However, that does not mean you should regularly vent your frustrations to your employees. They are looking up to you for leadership and direction, and knowing you disagree with your boss will only increase their own worries and aggravation. Find a colleague and fellow manager to vent to – that will keep the burden off your employees.

No one’s perfect, but if you’ve noticed your employees passing the blame, acting entitled or venting improperly, you might want to check in the mirror before you start disciplining. You may need to adjust your own habits first.

Get Rid of the Clutter: Spring Cleaning for Your Career

As we head into mid-April, spring has descended upon us. And as this new month ushers in warmer weather and longer days, it also marks a great time to sort through all the clutter you’ve acquired during the past year.

Today, because of hectic work and family schedules, everyone seems busier than ever. Think of spring as a time to start fresh and new – especially when it comes to revitalizing your career or job search. When clutter builds up – whether it’s paper, laundry or things to do on your calendar – it becomes harder to deal with and causes your stress levels to increase.

To help you kick that stress to the curb, here are seven easy ways to help you get organized and make the most of your career.

Tidy Up Your Desk
Make time to sort through your mail and throw away any accumulated trash. If papers are starting to pile up, file what you can. Chances are if you haven’t used a document in the last 60 days, you’re probably not going to use it in the near future. Either discard them completely – and shred anything that has confidential material – or file items away in an archive folder where you can easily access information in the future.

Delete Some Emails
What does your email account currently look like? If you’re getting messages that your inbox is too full, it’s probably time to take action. Search for the oldest or largest emails, and let the cleanup begin. Again, if you haven’t looked at an email in quite a while, chances are you won’t tomorrow. Delete what you can, but for those things that you want to keep, create a folder on your computer where you can save your emails.

Make a Weekly To-Do List
When you start your week or begin the day, do you ever feel overwhelmed with what you have to do? To help your time run smoothly, create a daily or weekly to-do list. Maybe take a few minutes on Friday afternoon to plan and prioritize your tasks for the upcoming week. Also, use this time to tidy up your work area and finish any remaining tasks you need to do, like replying to nonessential emails. Doing all this on a Friday will allow you to kick the next week off to a great start.

Buy a Planner
If you don’t have a planner, it’s a good idea to invest in one. This will help you keep track of and prioritize your day. Whether it’s an electronic or paper version, write down all of your appointments, meetings and other important dates – both work related and non-work related. Keep this planner with you so you always know what you have to do and when.

Evaluate Your Wardrobe
When working to advance your career, it’s important to look your best, so always dress professionally. The spring season allows you the perfect opportunity to go through your closet and see what you need or don’t need. You should quickly be able to identify what you need to spruce up your selection. If you decide you don’t need something, consider giving it to your local charity or thrift store.

Update Your Résumé
Take an evaluation of any new job skills you have learned recently that need to be added to your résumé. What about any awards or honors? It’s important to ensure that your résumé is always up to date with the most current information. Also, double check that your contact information is listed correctly.

Maintain Your Connections
Regardless of where you are in your career, it’s never a bad idea to build your networking connections. But as you network with others in your career field, be sure to keep their contact information in a safe place.

Consider purchasing a business card holder if you don’t already own one. This will allow you to easily find your contacts’ information when needed. In addition, you might also want to add them to your smart phone contact list or create a file on your computer. Remember, when it comes to finding a job, it’s not necessarily what you know but who you know.

These are just a few simple tips on what you can do this spring to clean up clutter, get organized and stay focused on your tasks ahead. When you are more organized, you will notice how much more productive and driven you feel – and you will definitely be less stressed. Don’t delay, start cleaning today and then maintain your efforts through the rest of the year. You’ll be glad you did.

For information on temporary, permanent and temp-to-perm positions and HR-related jobs, contact Express Employment Professionals at 561-471-8285 or visit http://www.wpalmbeachfl.expresspros.com.

Refresh Leadership Live Simulcast with Peyton Manning, Ken Blanchard and Walter Bond

Even the most savvy business leaders will tell you great leadership isn’t a skill you pick up overnight. It’s a skill that must be developed over the course of a career through experience, continual learning and collaboration.

That’s the inspiration behind the upcoming Refresh Leadership Live Simulcast. Hosted by Express Employment Professionals on Wednesday, May 18, 2011, in locations across the U.S. and Canada, this program will feature a diverse lineup of speakers who have built distinguished careers based on their unique insights into what it takes to be a great leader.

During the simulcast, attendees will hear from author, speaker and business consultant, Ken Blanchard, as he shares insights on leading in the new business reality. During his presentation, Blanchard will discuss the challenges leaders face in keeping people focused, productive and motivated to create an aligned organization that can move nimbly, yet boldly, toward the future.

Attendees will also hear from business expert, broadcaster and former professional basketball player, Walter Bond. Bond will discuss just how important attitude can really be to an organization. He’ll show attendees how to eliminate the “stinking thinking” that prevents people from perceiving and using every situation to their advantage.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback, and the only player in NFL history to be named Most Valuable Player four times, Peyton Manning, will also be on hand to share some of the insights he has learned over the years about leadership, teamwork, and success–both on and off the football field.

The Refresh Leadership Live event will be simulcast live from Indianapolis on Wednesday, May 18, to more than 100 locations across North America. To learn more about this event, find a location nearest you, or to register, visit http://www.refreshleadership.com/live.

For information on temporary, permanent and temp-to-perm positions and HR-related jobs, contact Express Employment Professionals at 561-471-8285 or visit http://www.wpalmbeachfl.expresspros.com.

Fight Stress, Stay Healthy

The Japanese concept of “Karōshi” can almost literally be translated as “death from overwork.” The term first came into common usage in Japan during the 1980s after rising concern following the sudden death of several high-ranking business men who showed no signs of previous health issues. “Karōshi” has been attributed to a wide variety of stress-related medical issues, such as high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke, to name a few.

There have been extensive studies on the effects of stress on a workforce’s overall health and wellbeing. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), 54% of workers are concerned about health problems due to stress. And, Express Employment Professionals’ recent Hiring Trends survey showed that 88% of company leaders say their current work stress is as high or higher than last year. It’s a serious problem that companies and their employees are being forced to address.

So, how do you reduce workplace stress? There are a wide variety of techniques and countless books about eliminating stress in your life. But, the first and most important step is to know the warning signs of stress, which can vary between individuals. In a recent APA study, some of the most common indicators of excessive stress included fatigue, irritability, lack of interest or motivation, head and stomach aches and insomnia. So it’s important to find a stress reducing activity that best fits your symptoms and lifestyle to help eliminate tension and keep you healthy and happy.

Take short breaks
The human body wasn’t made to sit in one position and stare at a computer screen for eight hours a day. Make it a point to stand up and take a quick walk around the office every hour or two. Go grab a small, healthy snack. Say hello to a coworker. Or simply just stand up at your desk and stretch. Find a quick and simple activity you can do throughout the day to get your body moving and break up the monotony.

Make simple lifestyle changes
You can make a significant impact on stress levels by just making a few simple lifestyle changes. Take some time to clean and reorganize your workspace. Eat a healthy breakfast. Go to bed an hour earlier. Cut back on sweets or sodas. These aren’t major decisions, and you’ll be surprised how little it actually takes to make a noticeable difference in how you feel.

Get some exercise
Exercise can do wonders for your stress and anxiety levels. Just a half-hour a day a few times a week can make a huge difference in your stress level. The important part is finding an activity you enjoy so you don’t think of it as something you have to do. Whether it’s as simple as a walk through a local park, swimming laps at the gym or taking a yoga class, a little bit of activity can go a long way.

Use your vacation time
If you have vacation time, don’t be afraid to use it. Taking a few days here and there to escape the daily grind of the work week is one of the best ways to recharge your mind and body. By allowing time to focus on the most important parts of your life, like family and friends, you will return to work more productive and better prepared to handle stressful situations.

If you’re a leader at your company, it’s also important to keep a close eye on the overall stress levels of your employees. When you do notice a spike in stress, act quickly. There are a variety of tactics you can use to help ease some of the tension. You just need to be aware and understand what causes the build up in stress and then act accordingly.

Some examples of changes you can make on an organizational level to reduce stress could include:

• Redistribute employee workloads or hire new full-time or temporary workers to help take some of the burden off your current employees’ shoulders.
• Provide opportunities for fun and bonding outside of work.
• Open the lines of communication to be sure your employees understand their jobs and why they are important.
• Allow your employees to participate in discussions and decision making that affect the business.
• Help your employees define development goals to help guide their careers in the right direction.

The impact of stress on health and wellbeing can be profound and indiscriminate. Employees at all levels are prone to developing stress-related illnesses, and those who choose to deal with the issue head on are the ones who stand the best chance of overcoming it.

If It Were Fun, It Wouldn’t Be Called Work

Hello, I’m Lee Fossett, president of the West Palm Beach office of Express Employment Professionals staffing agency. Welcome to our new company blog.

You know, as a staffing professional providing Greater Palm Beach businesses with temporary help, permanent employees, payroll outsourcing and HR-related services, I don’t truly believe what the headline here says. I derive tremendous satisfaction from my job, making just the right staffing placements at all kinds of businesses across Palm Beach County. My profession is all about work—my own, the work of the employees we place and the work of the clients’ for whom we place that staff. If I didn’t enjoy the concept of work, I’d be one miserable individual.

But there is a situation where work can indeed become drudgery, and that’s when a particular position and the employee filling it equal a bad fit. The ripple effect of one poorly selected employee can affect not only office morale, but it can hurt a company’s bottom line.

That’s why businesses with or without HR departments have come to trust and rely on Express Employment Professionals. We take the guesswork out of new hires, whether temporary, professional or temp to perm. At Express we have a pool of qualified and experienced candidates at our fingertips. We know how to quickly define the needs of the client and then interview the most qualified candidates that exactly match the job description, both in skill set and demeanor.

What I hope you’ll take away from our new blog are employment facts and figures, laws and regulations governing workers and employers, tips for keeping employees happy, motivated and productive from the standpoint of both the worker and employer, and maybe even some of the lighter side of running a staffing agency. I hope you’ll come back often.