Tuesday, October 26, 2004
Pre Employment Screening - Why Bother?
Why Should You Screen the Background of Your Employees?
1. Employee Screening Prevents Theft
30 percent of business failures are the result of theft or embezzlement.
2. Background Screening Reduces Violence
Businesses in the United States report losses of $36 billion a year due to workplace violence.
3. Pre Employment Screening Helps You Avoid Lawsuits
On average, negligent hiring lawsuits result in jury decisions of $3.5 million.
4. Employment Screening Helps You Find Honest Employees
One in four job applicants reportedly falsify education records or credentials.
5. Pre-employment Screening Helps to Reduce Turnover
With thorough screening, you can hire the right applicant from the start.
6. Employee Background Checks Help to Promote a Drug-Free Workplace
Annual productivity losses from substance abuse amount to $640 per U.S. worker.
7. Employment Background Checks Help to Stop Resume Fraud
One in seven screened applicants reportedly has a criminal record.
Who is Screening
Negligent Hiring Cases
- Employee with criminal record forces child to perform oral sex; $1.75 million award for negligent hiring and retention; Doe v. MCLO
- Nursing home liable for $235,000 for negligent hiring of unlicensed nurse, with 56 prior criminal convictions, who assaulted 80-year-old visitor; Deerings West Nursing Center v. Scott
- Furniture company liable for $2.5 million for negligent hiring and retention of deliveryman who savagely attacked woman customer in her home; Tallahassee Furniture Co., Inc. v. Harrison
- Employer settles for $2.5 million suit seeking to hold it liable for negligent hiring and entrustment of intoxicated security guard who had on-duty traffic accident in company car which killed himself and another motorist; Butler v. Hertz Corp
- Vacuum cleaner manufacturer liable for $45,000 because one of its distributors hired a door-to-door salesperson with a criminal record who raped a female customer in her home; manufacturer should have required its distributors to do pre-hiring screening of door-to-door salespersons to prevent hiring of persons with criminal histories; McLean v. Kirby Co
- Store customer detained by security guard as suspected shoplifter and injured while being restrained awarded $10 million in damages in suit against store claiming negligent hiring. Porter v. Proffitt's, Inc
Negligent Hiring Case Example
A recent Superior Court case in California serves as a warning for employers nationwide to perform background checks, not only on their employees, but any time they engage independent contractors. In Dean v. Oppenheim Davidson Enterprises Inc., Alameda Superior Court No. 809231-1, 2000, the court found that America’s Best Carpet Care was negligent in its hiring practices and ordered the company to pay $11.5 million in damages.
Inquest helps companies of all sizes, in a variety of industries. We provide a broad range of Employee Screening Services, including employee backgorund checks. Our criminal background checks are performed using Pre Employment Screening Best Practices. Check out our Website at www.inquestscreening.com.
