Login
sales@employerschoicescreening.com800.424.7011

Get a Quote

Employers Choice ScreeningEmployers Choice Screening
Employers Choice Screening
Employment Background Checks & Background Screening
  • About
    • Contact Us
    • FAQ
    • Certifications and Registrations
    • Testimonials
    • Giving Back
    • Our Process
      • Compliance
      • Customer Service
      • Speed & Efficiency
      • Technology
    • Division
    • Partners
      • Association Partners
      • Industry Partners
      • Strategic Partners
    • Privacy and Security
      • Privacy Statement
      • Disclaimer
      • Disaster Recovery Plan
    • ISO 9001:2015 Certified
    • Accessibility Statement
  • Background Screening
    • Screening Software
      • Applicant Tracking System
      • Online Background Screening Software
    • Employment Screening
      • Credit History Record Search
      • On-site Civil History Record Search Search
      • On-site Criminal History Record Search
      • Driving History Record Search
      • Credential and Education Verification
      • Pre-Employment Physical Examination
      • Employment History Verification
      • Federal Civil History Record Search
      • Federal Criminal History Record Search
      • Military Verification
      • Reference Verification
      • Sex Offender Registry Search
      • Social Security Number Trace
      • Social Security Number Verification
      • Workers’ Compensation Search
    • Request for Information (RFP/RFQ/RFI)
    • Health Screening
    • Pre-Employment Drug Screening
      • Hair Follicle Drug Testing
    • Form I-9 Verification
      • Form I-9 E-Verify
    • Pre-Employment Assessment Testing
    • Vendor Checklist
    • Tenant Screening
      • Civil On-site History Record Search
      • Credit History Record Search
      • On-site Criminal History Record Search
      • Driving History Record Search
      • Employment History Verification
      • Sex Offender Registry Search
      • Social Security Number Trace
    • Nanny Screening
    • Quote Request
  • Industries
    • Education
    • Financial Services
    • Healthcare
    • Nonprofit
    • Real Estate & Field Services
    • Retail
    • Staffing
    • Technology
    • Transportation
    • Utilities
    • Volunteer
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Legal Alerts
    • Tip of the Month
    • Newsletter
      • Newsletter Archive
    • Press Releases
    • Articles
    • Resources
      • Free Downloads
      • Videos
      • Webinars
  • COVID-19 TESTING
  • Get Quote
Menu back  

How Background Checks Promote a Safe Workplace

November 5, 2013Background ScreeningBy George Ramos

people_making-a-deal-150x150

Like most people, I like to take few minutes at the end of my day to get caught up on current events.

However, when I recently read news which deals directly with my industry, Employment Background Screening, I feel compelled to share my thoughts.

CNN recently released an article detailing British Petroleum (BP)’s ongoing cleanup efforts in the gulf coast region of the United States.
In a nutshell, BP contracted with a staffing agency that provides BP with temporary workers to aid in the massive gulf coast cleanup. One of these temporary workers was given an assignment in Pascagoula, Mississippi and claims that after leaving work feeling extremely ill, she asked her supervisor if he could take her home.

Upon arriving at her temporary housing location, the supervisor allegedly asked if he could use her restroom. He then allegedly entered her room, went to the restroom, and sexually assaulted her.

The two main players (besides of course the victim and the alleged perpetrator) in this story are BP and the staffing agency contracted by BP, Aerotek. Like every other employer, BP has a duty and obligation to all of their employees to promote and foster a safe workplace. When hiring for the gulf coast cleanup project, BP hired contractors through Aerotek and implemented a drug screening policy, requiring all contractors that were assigned to cleanup locations, including Pascagoula, Mississippi to undergo drug screening.

However, this was the full extent of BP’s background screening efforts; they did not verify the identity of the contractors (name, date of birth, and Social Security number match), or determine if any of the contractors had any previous criminal records.

Aerotek’s position is that because they are a staffing agency hired by clients to find employees/contractors, it’s ultimately the responsibility of their client, the Employer to conduct background screening. Aerotek went as far as stating that BP should have conducted background screening at the physical location where the employee/contractor reports to work.

The simple fact of the matter is that a crime allegedly took place that could have potentially been avoided by running a proper background check.

If the alleged perpetrator had been convicted of sexual assault (or any misdemeanor or felony) and the record was reportable (convicted of the crime within the last 7 years), background screening would have barred this individual from employment with BP and this entire nasty situation could have been premptively avoided.

BP’s predicament in this instance is not uncommon; many companies don’t have properly implemented hiring and background screening policies until they get their “noses bloodied” in the court room. Once they are hit with civil litigation, they quickly realize that a background screening policy is vital to for all businesses. I have a strong feeling that a employee lawsuit is looming for BP.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

 

Background ChecksBP Sexual HarassmentNegligent HiringSex Offender SearchStaffing Agencies
About the author

George Ramos

Related posts
The Case Against Social Media Searches in a Socially Distanced World
August 18, 2020
Should We Re-Screen Furloughed Employees?
August 18, 2020
Florida Governor Signs Mandatory E-Verify Law
August 18, 2020
Employee Background Check Companies for Employers
July 1, 2020
“Ban the Box” Laws Expand to a Federal Level with Presidential Approval
January 29, 2020
Employers Face Challenges with FCRA Lawsuits on the Rise
January 29, 2020
Research Your New Hires!





Name:

Email:

Phone:

Search
Facts
Workplace Violence
One out of every six crimes occurs in the workplace and homicide is the second leading cause of workplace death in the U.S.

Education Falsification
National Credit Verification Service reports that 25% of the MBA degrees it verifies on resumes are false.

Statistics
72% of shrinkage is due to employee theft.
34% of all job applications contain lies.
30% of small business failure is caused by employee theft.
  • “Your costs for background checks are indeed quite modest in comparison to the salary costs and potential risks. I am also quite impressed with the information you have provided regarding compliance.”

    Direct Image Sensors Company
    VP Engineer & GM
  • “Thank you so much for sending the complete file as quickly as you did. Thank you once again for all of the hard work you put into pulling this report for me; it is greatly appreciated.”

    With Kind Regards,

    Staffing Company
    Manager
  • “Thanks, good job.”

    Distribution Company
    General Manager
  • “Thanks. Great turnaround!”

    Computer Resource Company
    Human Resources Manager
  • “In any event excellent service like always.”

    Regards,

    Manufacturing Company
    Human Resources Manager
  • “Thanks for the prompt result!”

    Real Estate Company
    Accountant
Get Help Now
Receive immediate assistance with your background checks

Name:

Email:

Message:

International Background Searches

Did you know that we perform background searches in over 200 countries?

Read more
Newsletter Sign Up
Employers Choice Screening
©2019 Employers Choice Online Inc. Background Screening, All Rights Reserved
Privacy Statement | Disclaimer | FACT Act Notice
Information
  • FAQ
  • Background Screening Links
  • Applicant Dispute
  • Green Policy
  • Contact Us
Screening Resources
  • Videos
  • Affiliate Program
  • Live Webinars
  • Online Resource Center
  • Divisions
Read More
  • Newsletter
  • Background Screening Blog
  • Our Process
  • Certifications and Registrations
  • Associations
footer-logo-1footer-logo-2 footer-logo-3


Connect With Employers Choice Screening

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Reject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

necessary Always Enabled

non-necessary