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Scurich Insurance
320 East Lake Avenue, PO Box 1170
Watsonville, CA 95077-1170
Office: 1-831-722-3541
Toll Free: 1-800-320-3666
Email:[email protected]
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With more jobs becoming available today, there is a major problem presenting itself for employers. Employees who are applying for jobs are lying about important aspects of their lives. In most cases, the truth may be a disqualifying factor. To avoid the hassle of hiring an unfit employee, it's important to conduct a background check.
According to the ADP's 2009 Hiring Index, 46% of the 1.7 million applicants reviewed had discrepancies in their resume's employment, credentials, education or reference checks sections. In addition to this, 37% of applicants had traffic violations or convictions, and 6% had criminal charges within the past seven years. While not all applicants lie about convictions, others may fabricate details that make them look more appealing. This practice, which is commonly called resume padding, is a method used by people who aren't qualified for a position to attempt to obtain it. It's important to be able to identify both omissions and lies.
Understanding What Is in a Background Check. Not all background checks are the same. There are hundreds of online services that advertise cheap and fast background checks. However, these companies provide limited information, and often have limited access to databases that are not regularly updated. In order to get the most accurate and recent records it is best to use state resources.
How to Perform a Background Check.
Usually, the office of the Highway Patrol is the best place to begin a search. Some jobs require a prospective employee to manage a budget and handle money. If this is the case, it's a good idea to request a credit check also. It's important to have the applicant's SSN, date of birth and any last names or aliases they've used in the past 10 years. Be sure to have the applicant's approval before performing a background check. Social media sites, such as Facebook, can also be beneficial when researching a potential employee. Keep in mind that people may make fictitious profiles and claims on social media sites, so this information shouldn't replace what is available on a background check. However, sometimes discrepancies between resumes and social profiles are enough to raise a red flag against a potential employee.
Be specific in what information you decide to verify with a background check or credit check, and only perform those checks when there is a direct correlation with job duties. For example, don't request a credit check for an employee who won't be controlling a budget or working with cash. However, if an applicant will be caring for disabled individuals, it's important to verify that they don't have any past charges of abuse, assault or neglect. Always use common sense to determine which bits of information need to be verified.
Employer Reference Considerations. Verifying employment and inquiring about an applicant's work ethic with a previous employer is important. However, it's also important to make the reference call count. Never rely on the phone number provided by the applicant. Either look up the number through an online phone directory or use a reliable source to verify the number. Although it isn't common, sometimes applicants provide erroneous phone numbers that may not belong to the previous employer they listed. In some cases, employees might provide a friend's number instead. That friend will often provide a false reference to make the employee look good. Be sure to ask pointed and concise questions to the applicant's previous employer. The following questions are good examples:
- How do the applicant’s skills with other team members rank?
- What are the applicant’s strengths?
- How does the applicant deal with stress and conflict?
- In what ways could the applicant improve?
The best time to perform a background check is after extending an offer for employment. However, be sure to tell the applicant that their employment with the company is contingent upon them passing a background check. It's always a good idea to state upfront in the job posting that a background check will be performed for qualified applicants. This is usually effective in discouraging applicants who know they have a checkered past and intend to lie about it. Again, the most important thing to remember is to always obtain an applicant's written permission before ordering a background or credit check for them.
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Scurich Insurance
320 East Lake Avenue, PO Box 1170
Watsonville, CA 95077-1170
Office: 1-831-722-3541
Toll Free: 1-800-320-3666
Email:[email protected]
Read more
Born in Watsonville Tony has been in the insurance business since 1981 and with Scurich Insurance since 1983. Tony is married with 3 children, graduated from Watsonville High in 1977 and Santa Clara University in 1981. His current activities include running at Rio Del Mar Beach & West Cliff Drive, biking, cooking/BBQing, reading biographies and eating breakfast burritos at Pixie Deli. Past and present community activities include board member of St Francis High School, Pajaro Valley Historical Association, YMCA (board member and youth basketball coach), Boy Scouts of America and, Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce (board chair in 2004).
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Scurich Insurance
320 East Lake Avenue, PO Box 1170
Watsonville, CA 95077-1170
Office: 1-831-722-3541
Toll Free: 1-800-320-3666
Email:[email protected]
Read more
Here are some tax tips for those of you who haven’t filed your 2011 tax return.
1. File an extension
2. Pay what you think you will owe
3. Contact employer, mortgage company
4. Set aside some spare time
5. Remember to take it in baby steps
6. Create and follow a checklist
7. Find a book, visit the library to help you
8. Use tax software
9. Don’t be afraid to ask for help
10. Do better by preparing for next year 2012
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Scurich Insurance
320 East Lake Avenue, PO Box 1170
Watsonville, CA 95077-1170
Office: 1-831-722-3541
Toll Free: 1-800-320-3666
Email:[email protected]
This article is courtesy of ksbw.com
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For contractors, one of the most important things they can do to protect their business is to get insurance. One of the most common insurance policies that most contractors get is general liability insurance.
In order to get the best of what general liability insurance has to offer, here are some mistakes contractors need to avoid.
- Not Understanding The Risks and Consequences Of Loss
Many business-owners and contractors often regard insurance as simply an additional and unnecessary cost since they believe claims will never be made on them. And when disaster strikes, they’d be caught off-guard and end up with more expenses. Therefore, it’s important to get insurance and understand your policy very well.
This is another huge mistake that contractors should definitely avoid. There are different types of policies in the market and each policy is designed to meet the different needs of the user. When choosing a coverage plan, it’s important to get comprehensive coverage at a reasonable price.
- Not Checking The Exclusions
The exclusions on an insurance policy are the events or perils that are not covered under the current policy. There are several small work-related issues that contractors need to deal with and oftentimes, these issues are left uninsured. Thus, it’s important to check the policy exclusions to determine which events aren’t covered and what can be done about it.
- Not Insuring Your Sub-Contractors
Most contractors work with sub-contractors in order to get work done faster and more efficiently. If an accident occurs with the subcontractor, you’re responsible for them. This is why getting a general liability insurance that offers coverage for contractors is a good idea.
- Changing Insurance Providers All The Time
Many insurance providers offer discounts for their loyal customers and if a contractor jumps from one insurance to another, they lose that chance. Also, it doesn’t give them enough time to review or evaluate the effectiveness of their coverage.
To secure your business with contractors insurance, please fill out the form below.
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Scurich Insurance
320 East Lake Avenue, PO Box 1170
Watsonville, CA 95077-1170
Office: 1-831-722-3541
Toll Free: 1-800-320-3666
Email:[email protected]
This article is courtesy of insuranceunit.com dated Jan 12, 2012
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