New Zealand writer enlightens readers on needs for background investigations

By Gill South

In a tight labour market, it can be tempting to hire someone who can start as soon as possible, without doing a thorough background investigation of their references, says Peter Sherwin, New Zealand spokesman for Grant Thornton, which recently published a survey on undiscovered fraud in New Zealand private companies.

Some people are lax when they take someone on. "It's, 'Oh yeah, I know that firm, when can you start?"'

And some of us may have grown up with the idea that it was fine to "massage the facts" when writing our resumes. Once we had our foot in the door, it wouldn't matter any more; we'd just work hard and prove they were right to hire us.

But these days, embroidering details of your employment history is not a smart move. Increasing numbers of companies are using what are called pre-employment background screening organizations - companies that are trained to root out the anomalies in people's employment histories. As a result, you are unlikely to get offered the job - and may suffer some embarrassment as well. If there's a suggestion that you have blatantly lied about a key factor, like your qualifications, it can even lead to police investigation, as in the admittedly extreme case of Immigration Service head Mary Anne Thompson.

New Zealand companies are, like others around the world, taking recruitment more seriously in a market where human capital is so precious.

What they want to check is: has this person delivered in their previous jobs and what will they deliver in the future? Hence the increasingly common use of psychometric checking and professional reference checking. As well as employment history and qualifications,these companies look at people's integrity and honesty, and financial backgrounds. Have they ever been bankrupt? Perhaps not the best life history for a chief financial officer.

And a tip for job-seekers: make sure your past employers really are fans of yours. When checking references,quite frequently the employer will say: "They're not that great."

You might assume that background check companies are used just for top management but they may actually be working right across the board, from the receptionist to the general manager for some companies.

Even if the person is reasonably well known to the management, they are still using background check companies. executive boards don't "want any surprises". That's why there is a procedure in place.

Companies prefer to find out about a problem, rather than have a journalist discover the issue.

Be warned about changing your story or reinventing yourself when you go for a new job. The problem in New Zealand, of course, is that if you have blotted your copybook, you can never escape. Background Investigations are very important for people who have "access to the cheque book", such as chief executives, chief operating officers and chief financial officers.

Some common problem areas, such as the person's behaviour in the workplace, are often not to be found anywhere on a resume and those are the things that can make someone a poor fit. Do they use intimidating tactics in the office? Do they regularly slope off home at 4.30 to go to a "meeting"?

Posted by Pebi Services President Tyra Hearns

FBI assistant director William Hooten responds in Washington Post editorial letter to articles posted at this blog

ARTICLES FROM THIS BLOG RELATED TO MR. HOOTEN'S LETTER CAN BE FOUND HERE AND HERE

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

The June 14 editorial "The Name Game" told readers only half the story.

The editorial implied that the FBI is, through indifference, "punishing immigrants" by taking too long to complete some background checks for the Department of Homeland Security.

For years, the FBI did this job with great efficiency. We ran a computer check to see whether a person had been the named subject of an FBI investigation. After Sept. 11, 2001, however, the then-Immigration and Naturalization Service resubmitted 2.7 million names to be rechecked on a much broader criterion: whether they had been referenced in a negative manner in an FBI file.
From a processing standpoint, this meant that the FBI was required to review many more files in response to each individual background check request. This sometimes requires tracking down paper files across the country and overseas, or interviewing agents about current and old cases.

This avalanche, and the much deeper research required, created a backlog that no agency could have dispatched quickly. Even so, FBI employees complete almost 90 percent of these checks on time and have substantially reduced the number of pending Homeland Security checks this year.
While files containing possible derogatory information are found in less than 1 percent of Homeland Security requests, it is important to recall that it only took 19terrorists to kill 3,000 people. We take these checks very seriously.
We agree that some people were not well served by this process, and we continue to work hard to fix that. But we believe the other half of the story matters, too.

WILLIAM L. HOOTON
Assistant Director

Posted by Pebi Services President Tyra Hearns

Canada RCMP official suggests stricter background investigations for Parliment Members

Maxime Bernier arrives to be sworn in as the new Minister of Foreign Affairs accompanied by Julie Couillard during a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on in this Aug 14, 2007 file photo. (The Canadian Press)

By Daniel Leblanc
Globe and Mail

Background investigations on cabinet ministers could be improved by expanding them to include spouses and family members, an RCMP official indicated Wednesday.

In his second appearance before the House committee on public safety, RCMP Assistant Commissioner Raf Souccar was guarded in his comments, but he told MPs the current background investigations could be beefed up.

“The process is what it is. If it is not the right process, it has to be changed, and government has to make that decision,” Assistant Commissioner Souccar said. “Can this [process] be improved? I'm sure it can.”

Assistant Commissioner Souccar and Bob Paulson, the assistant commissioner for national security, were under fire over the RCMP's handling of the case of former foreign affairs minister Maxime Bernier, who recently dated a woman with ties to men with criminal backgrounds.

The opposition is concerned that the RCMP never raised a red flag about Mr. Bernier's ex-girlfriend, Julie Couillard, with the government's top bureaucrats at the Privy Council Office.

Assistant Commissioner Paulson said he noticed Ms. Couillard with Mr. Bernier last August at a swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall. However, the RCMP had no responsibility to conduct further background investigations on her or any other minister's spouse.

“At the time that I saw her, I had none of that knowledge [about Ms. Couillard's past] and didn't make that connection,” Assistant Commissioner Paulson said.

In 1998, according to court records, the RCMP ordered a surveillance operation on Ms. Couillard's home as part of a drug investigation.

Assistant Commissioner Souccar pointed out that the RCMP have no responsibility to look at the immediate family or the people surrounding a potential or current cabinet minister.

“We don't go around and do spot checks on ministers or anybody that is subject to a pre-appointment check to determine if they have anybody in their life … who has had a questionable past,” he said.

Assistant Commissioner Souccar said that future changes to the screening process are in the hands of the government, and will depend on the extent to which ministers “are willing to expose themselves.”

During Wednesday's hearing, opposition MPs criticized Assistant Commissioner Souccar for refusing to tell them last week whether the RCMP informed the Privy Council Office about Ms. Couillard's past. The PCO, however, later acknowledged that it had never received information on Ms. Couillard from the RCMP.

Assistant Commissioner Souccar said the PCO warned him that it was about to make public that information last week, although he did not see a reason to do it.

“I had some difficulty understanding the need to go public with the statement indicating that we had not contacted them. They nevertheless chose to do that, and it's their right to do that,” he said.

Two days ago, the Prime Minister's national security adviser, Margaret Bloodworth, said that Mr. Bernier cleared a full background investigation by the RCMP and CSIS just weeks before allegations of missing documents led to his resignation from cabinet.

Ms. Bloodworth stated that while she had read allegations surrounding Ms. Couillard in the newspapers, she has no evidence to suggest what is true or not true.

Assistant Commissioner Souccar said he has obtained new information about Ms. Couillard in the past week, but he refused to say whether the RCMP are investigating the matter.

Ms. Couillard and Mr. Bernier have refused to appear before the committee.

Posted by Pebi Services President Tyra Hearns

Background Investigations: What you need to know

by Chad Terhune
Business Week Magazine


Most jobs nowadays, from cashier to a senior executive, require a background check. And more employers are vetting longtime employees, too. These investigations are done increasingly by outside screening companies. Here's some things applicants and employers need to know:

JOB APPLICANTS
Check prior background reports. Under federal law, you are entitled to a copy of any background report that had been done on you, for a minimal fee of $10 or less. In three states, California, Minnesota, and Oklahoma, they're free. You need to know which screening firm out of the nearly 2,000 nationwide did the report. A previous employer can tell you and then contact the screening company directly.

Know who's checking your past. Examine the consent form that gives an employer permission to conduct a background check. It should list the screening firm doing the work and the scope of the investigation, whether that includes criminal records, credit history, driving record, or reference interviews.

Act fast if something's wrong. If you're rejected for a job based on your background report, an employer must tell you this and hand over a copy of the full report. Federal regulators have said employers have to wait only five business days before hiring another applicant while you dispute information in your background report. Contact the screening firm immediately and demand, in writing and by phone, a reinvestigation.

EMPLOYERS
Know what you're getting from a background investigation. The quality and depth of background investigations vary widely in an industry where many companies are startups offering low prices to win business. Be wary of Web sites offering instant checks. They may not be familiar with compliance and federal law. Some background companies search for criminal history in only one or two counties where an applicant has lived primarily, possibly missing information elsewhere.

There's no national database of all criminal records. Despite some marketing claims to the contrary, no master file exists of all state and federal criminal arrests and convictions. Searching criminal records remains a fragmented task across 50 states and thousands of courthouses. Diligent searches require screening firms to send workers to pull court files by hand for accuracy.

Know how reference checks are done. Some screening firms grant anonymity to friends and former bosses and co-workers in exchange for unvarnished opinions about applicants. Others identify all sources to guard against unsubstantiated gossip and innuendo. Ask how a screening firm checks references and whether you can provide specific questions to be asked that pertain to the position being filled.

Posted by Tyra Hearns of www.pebiservices.com

Edmonton school bus driver fired; lack of background investigation by Canadian bus company alleged

By Glenn Kauth,
Sun Media

A city bus company didn't get a criminal background investigation on a driver facing allegations of "inappropriately touching" a kindergarten student, a Catholic school board spokesman said yesterday.

The driver has now lost her job, but that hasn't stopped school officials from sending the bus company, R.L. Smith Transportation, a "strongly worded letter" about the breach of its contract with the board.

"We're very, very concerned that this is a serious breach and that the safety of our kids is always a priority," said board spokesman Lori Nagy.

Gordie Mayes, the owner of R.L. Smith, declined to comment yesterday.

But Nagy said the board learned the company hadn't done the criminal background investigation or a child welfare check, after it began its investigation into the allegations.

On Wednesday, Mayes told Sun Media that R.L. Smith runs background investigations on all of its drivers before they come on staff.

The driver, now under investigation, had been working for the company since February, Nagy confirmed.

The case first came to light Wednesday, after a parent of the six-year-old girl at St. Angela Elementary School in northwest Edmonton came forward with allegations against the driver, who ran a noon-hour kindergarten route.

Officials have said little about exactly what happened, but Nagy said she doesn't believe the touching was sexual.

Police are also investigating the case.

Since learning R.L. Smith hadn't done the background investigations, the board has changed its requirements of the company.

In particular, R.L. Smith must now give the board proof it has complied with its contract terms - which state that new drivers have to undergo background investigations before they start work - every month.

"The newest piece is that we have verification those checks have been done," said Nagy, who noted that under the previous rules, R.L. Smith only had to submit the information at the beginning of the school year.

"They're the only company that we will be doing this with, but we will be looking into whether to expand that to the other carriers," Nagy added.

Posted by Tyra Hearns of www.PebiServices.com

Australian doctor appointed to top trauma unit despite background issues

The Victorian Government appointed a surgeon accused of fraud and malpractice to its top trauma committee despite official complaints being lodged over his conduct several months earlier.

The state Opposition yesterday accused the Government of failing to conduct necessary background investigations on Thomas Kossmann, the suspended head of the trauma unit at The Alfred hospital in Melbourne. Professor Kossmann was stood stood down on November26. An investigation found he charged for operations he did not perform and carried out unnecessary procedures.

The Opposition yesterday produced documents revealing the surgeon applied to join the State Trauma Committee in August 2005. By this time, it is believed the first complaints had been made to The Alfred hospital by other surgeons. Guidelines for positions on the committee warn applicants they will be subject to strict background investigations.

Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu said the Government needed to declare what it knew about Professor Kossmann when it made the appointment. "The Brumby Government has refused to reveal whether they complied with the probity requirements before appointing Professor Kossmann to this top ministerial advisory role," he said. "Either the Government has been grossly negligent ... or they are covering up their involvement with him."

A leaked copy of the findings of a three-month investigation into Professor Kossmann by an expert panel, also reveals he allegedly performed surgery he was not capable of doing. Professor Kossmann has always denied the claims. He is challenging his suspension by Bayside Health in the Victorian Supreme Court.

A spokesman for Health Minister Daniel Andrews said the minister was first informed about complaints against Professor Kossmann on October 11 last year.

"These complaints are the subject of a process being run by Bayside Health. That process is robust and should be allowed to run its proper course," he said.

President Bush outlines new quicker plan for background investigations

By STEPHEN BARR
The Washington Post

Bush administration officials before leaving office hope to resolve one of the government’s most vexing problems — the slow pace of obtaining security clearances for federal employees and contract workers. President Bush, in a recent memo to agency heads, directed key officials to submit a plan by the end of April for speeding up and improving the process. New government employees undergo background investigations to ensure they are suitable for federal employment and, depending on the nature of their job, an investigation to determine whether they can receive secret, top secret or other security clearance.

Federal job applicants and contract workers have complained for years that their employment prospects or job assignments fall into limbo because background investigations take too long — frequently more than a year. With the system seemingly broke, companies that do business with the Pentagon and the intelligence agencies have offered luxury cars and signing bonuses of up to $20,000 for people holding clearances.Posted on Mon, Mar. 24, 2008
Federal Diary: Security checks to be streamlined
By STEPHEN BARR
The Washington Post
Bush administration officials before leaving office hope to resolve one of the government’s most vexing problems — the slow pace of obtaining security clearances for federal employees and contract workers.

President Bush, in a recent memo to agency heads, directed key officials to submit a plan by the end of April for speeding up and improving the process.

New government employees undergo background checks to ensure they are suitable for federal employment and, depending on the nature of their job, an investigation to determine whether they can receive secret, top secret or other security clearance.

Federal job applicants and contract workers have complained for years that their employment prospects or job assignments fall into limbo because background checks take too long — frequently more than a year. With the system seemingly broke, companies that do business with the Pentagon and the intelligence agencies have offered luxury cars and signing bonuses of up to $20,000 for people holding clearances.

Congress also has pushed to speed up clearances. The 2004 Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Act requires that 80 percent of all security clearances be completed in an average of 120 days.

Last April, Linda Springer, director of the Office of Personnel Management, and Stephen Hadley, assistant to the president for national security affairs, developed recommendations for improving the security clearance process. In June, Pentagon and intelligence officials began their own review of the clearance process, with an eye to enhancing operations in spy agencies.

When officials became aware of each other’s initiatives, they decided to join efforts, Springer said.

About 90 percent of the government’s background investigations, nearly 2 million each year, are conducted by the Office of Personnel Management.

Springer said the office was steadily reducing the time it takes for the background checks. Most investigations for top secret and secret clearances are being completed in 199 days, on average, she said. That is from the time the job applicant completes a form for the investigation to the date that an agency decides to either grant or deny the clearance.

The president’s memo recommends the government develop a common method for conducting background investigations. Once basic investigations have been completed, any future inquiries, required when people change jobs or move to new security levels, should avoid duplicating the previous background checks.

Congress also has pushed to speed up clearances. The 2004 Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Act requires that 80 percent of all security clearances be completed in an average of 120 days.

Last April, Linda Springer, director of the Office of Personel Management, and Stephen Hadley, assistant to the president for national security affairs, developed recommendations for improving the security clearance process. In June, Pentagon and intelligence officials began their own review of the clearance process, with an eye to enhancing operations in spy agencies. When officials became aware of each other’s initiatives, they decided to join efforts, Springer said.

About 90 percent of the government’s background investigations, nearly 2 million each year, are conducted by the Office of Personnel Management.
Springer said the office was steadily reducing the time it takes for the background investigations. Most investigations for top secret and secret clearances are being completed in 199 days, on average, she said. That is from the time the job applicant completes a form for the investigation to the date that an agency decides to either grant or deny the clearance.

The president’s memo recommends the government develop a common method for conducting background investigations. Once basic background investigations have been completed, any future inquiries, required when people change jobs or move to new security levels, should avoid duplicating the previous background investigations.