EmployeeScreenIQ Blog

This is a step in the right direction.  With international screening becoming more important across the globe this could be a big win for screening firms.  Nothing will come out of this directly for background firms but its a step that could make more records available in the future.

EU aims to share criminal records with its members

The European Commission has proposed the establishment of the European Criminal Records Information System (ECRIS) a computerised database allowing European Union member states to share the criminal records of their citizens.

Announcing the ECRIS proposals, European Commission Vice-president Jacques Barrot, the Commissioner responsible for Justice Freedom and Security said in a statement: “To reinforce the European Area of Security and Justice, and to ensure the security of citizens, it is important to establish at European level a concrete and user-friendly system which will enable an efficient exchange of information on previous convictions of criminals.

“Information about previous conviction shall circulate between judges and prosecutors as well as police authorities. This is essential in order to provide adequate responses to crime but also to prevent new crimes from being committed,” explained the Commissioner, who recently took over the portfolio in an internal reshuffle of the Barroso Commission.

More

Continue Reading

I find it difficult to accurately convey my thoughts on this story as I think the title speaks volumes by itself. And, quite honestly, I’m extremely dumbfounded that almost seven years after 9/11, this type of oversight on the part of a major airline has even occurred.

We cannot stress enough how important it is for employers to conduct background checks on their employees. Furthermore, it is equally important to screen those who are working for your business in any capacity – volunteers, contractors, part-time, seasonal, etc. For the safety and security of your employees, customers, students, friends, and/or family that enter the confines of your business, you just have to know who you have working for you. You are taking a very big risk if you don’t.

Afghan Hijacker Found Working as Cleaner at Heathrow Airport

FOX News – Friday, May 16, 2008

An Afghan hijacker who won the right to live in England is working at Heathrow Airport in London as a cleaner in the British Airways training center, the Daily Mail reported.

Nazamuddin Mohammidy, 34, was among nine hijackers who in 2000 diverted an Ariana Airlines flight with 160 passengers on board to Stansted Airport in Essex, England.

The group, armed with guns and hand grenades, claimed it was fleeing the Taliban and threatened to kill all the passengers unless they were granted asylum. It took four days for the hijackers to surrender.

Mohammidy appeared in court this week after police pulled him over while he was driving a car around the new Terminal 5 at Heathrow, the Daily Mail reported.

At first authorities thought he was an unlicensed cab driver but were shocked to discover he was one of the hijackers and had a British Airways pass on him.

More

Continue Reading

The results were ignored? Whats the point!! Screening employees in Australia has been a hot topic “down under” over the years. From our research Australia, like the US, embraces the concept of employment screening.

Meagher defends disgraced doctor reference check claims

New South Wales Health Minister Reba Meagher has rejected suggestions she misled State Parliament by saying no background checks were performed on a far south coast disgraced doctor.

The State Opposition has released a diary note from a senior Health Department executive which it says shows one of Dr Graeme Reeves’ referees warning the doctor was not meant to do obstetrics.

The Opposition says the diary entry shows background checks were done on Dr Reeves, but were then ignored.

Ms Meagher has told Parliament she stands by her previous comments.

“The Opposition are being quite disingenuous with the way they are waving around a handwritten note … and trying to purport that in fact that is in some way an official record of a background check because it is simply not,” she said.

State Labor MP Mick Veitch has also been drawn into the scandal involving the disgraced doctor.

Mr Veitch used to be the deputy chairman of the Southern Area Health Service and its board minutes show that in 2002 he personally signed off on the appointment of Dr Reeves.

Opposition health spokeswoman Jillian Skinner says there are now even more questions to be answered about the appointment of the doctor.

More

Continue Reading

A new study on Substance Abuse conducted in Perth, Australia shows that 1 in 3 meth users admit to getting high on the job. 4% of the Australian workers surveyed admitted to recent use of ice, speed or other forms of methamphetamine. This results of this survey shouldn’t really shock anyone. You might recall a U.S. study released in July, 2007 showed that 1 in 12 U.S. workers had used drugs within a month of the time of the study. These two studies scream out to employers the need to conduct Substance Abuse Screening on all new hires.

Continue Reading

An interesting article about doing background checks in Australia. It seems in theory that our Aussie friends are a few years behind us, but still seeing the importance of doing employment screening. Check out this article, Protect yourself from fraud in the Herald Sun.

Continue Reading

One of the newest trends in the employment screening industry is the rise in International Background Checks. For years U.S. employers have searched for ways to screen their foreign employees with little success. In fact, for many years employeescreenIQ was one of the few companies that was able to adequately offer this service on a consistent basis. employeescreenIQ has not only serviced our thousands of U.S. clients internationally but also helped many foreign companies as well. Our client base spans many different nations including a few that our supporting our troops in the middle east. We were one of the first firms to be Safe Harbor Certified and have maintained this certification since 2004.

The National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS) has formed a new committee to help screening companies expand their services in a legal compliant manner. As many of you know I have been very involved in NAPBS since the beginning and I applaud the association on this effort.

See Release:

New International Alliance Aims to Strengthen Background Screening and Security Worldwide

American Organization Takes Lead Role in Effort

Durham, NC (PRWEB) November 5, 2007 — As global terrorism and violence have become a strong reality in our current era, security has developed as a focal issue for companies and organizations that seek to hire talent from other countries and/or establish operations abroad. In response, the representatives of the global background investigation and screening community have formed an international alliance designed to facilitate collaboration and networking among screening firms on all continents, and in countries as diverse as Canada and India. More

Continue Reading