Jul
29
It’s an article of faith that the younger generation, especially the people joining the workforce now and part of what’s called “Generation Y,” are a tech-savvy bunch. That’s surely true overall, but their savvy may not extend to protecting their privacy in important ways.
According to a news release from Adecco, a recruiting and staffing firm, […]
Jul
24
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has decided to take aim at farmers who might have “too much” propane on hand.
According to an article in the Southerner, proposed regulations would make propane a “chemical of interest” if kept in quantities of 7500 pounds (1785 gallons) or more. That’s not an issue if you […]
Jul
19
Beyond the background check
Filed Under Employment screening | Leave a Comment
Pittston, Pennsylvania is located in the northeastern part of the state, between Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. The Wilke-Barre Times Leader reports that Pittston Area School District Superintendent Ross Scarantino and the school board have to defend the hiring of a teacher who, it turns out, was charged with a felony count of burglary in 2004.
The newly […]
Jul
17
Who’s got access to your data? A case for background checks
Filed Under Employment screening | Leave a Comment
Last month the Utah Department of Corrections suspended a program where inmates were used for data-entry when it came to light that the inmates may have stolen confidential information. Last year there was a similar incident in Fresno, CA. Several years back, there were stories of inmates in state prisons gaining access to the private […]
Jul
13
Who watches the watchmen?
Filed Under Criminal checks | Leave a Comment
Hired any good security guards lately? Unless you’re a really big business, the answer to that question is probably, “No.”
Most small companies don’t hire security guards. Instead they contract with a security company to provide guard services. And that can be dangerous.
According to Bill Whitmore, President and CEO, AlliedBarton Security Services, quoted in Chief Engineer: […]
Jul
11
What to do when there is drug activity on your rental property
Filed Under Tenant screening | Leave a Comment
In Wooster, Ohio there’s a police detective giving landlords advice. The advice isn’t unique to his town or even to Ohio.
The fact is that in most cities, the majority of the illegal drug activity happens on rental property. A drug dealer may rent property and then use the location either as a place to sell […]
Jul
5
Supreme court rules that insurance companies did not violate FCRA
Filed Under Employment screening, FCRA, Legal | Leave a Comment
The Insurance Journal reports that the Supreme Court has ruled in favor of two insurance companies, GEICO and Safeco. The companies were accused of violating the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
There were actually two rulings. Even though they don’t relate directly and specifically to background checks or tenant screening, there are still important things […]
Jul
3
Patient Safety and Abuse Prevention Act
Filed Under Criminal checks, Legal | 3 Comments
It’s scary that you should have to check the backgrounds of people who care for the elderly, but that’s part of what will be legally required when the Patient Safety and Abuse Prevention Act becomes law. Note that I said, “when” and not “if.”
The bill, authored by Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI), Chairman of the Senate […]



