Category: News

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Background Checks Criminal Records Miscellany News Staffing Uncategorized

A Reprise About Al Qaeda and Gun Control Background Checks

As the anniversary of 9/11/2001 just passed yesterday, it is time for reflection.  This is the time when we examine what we have learned from that horrible day.  We consider our gains and assess our losses.  We review the steps  we have taken to make this country safer, and we review the things we need to do to prevent another  terror attack.

As with any other things, people have their opinions about the laws we have passed and the measures we have taken.  Some point to the airlines checks, the screening, being compelled to take your shoes off, and declare these measures far too invasive.    Some believe our stringent measures have worked to insure the safety of the United States against another terrorist attack.

Others regard background checks for buying guns as an infringement upon their rights.   Like most major issues, any side can provide valid points from their own perspective.  Unless an opinion is totally off the wall, there is at least some measure of accuracy, a modicum of truth to the assessment.

It is with this in mind and the terrible day ten years ago that I reprise this article I wrote back in June.  It is entitled, Al Qaeda Advises Terrorists to Avoid Background Checks and Buy Arms at Gun Shows.   I think it is worth the read.

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Background Checks Bankruptcy Records Economy Human Resources Miscellany News Recruiting Staffing Uncategorized

The Law Restricting California Employers for Pre-Emloyment Credit Background Checks

Employment credit reports are taking a lot of heat these guys.  Several states have limited their use and now the next battlefield is California.  Certain civil groups claim the use of consumer credit reports for pre-employment screening is discriminatory and unfair, especial in this present economic downturn.    The opposition claims that employer rights are limited and that “increases the potential liability exposure for hiring decisions by unduly restricting the ability of businesses to use consumer credit reports as part of the background check process.

I know everytime I report anything about this, I get some flack for it.   A lot of people in search of work bleieve they are being mistreated.  Many employers complain that they are then forced to spend too much time dealing with employee creditors.  Anyway, I am not about to comment on this here.  My last blog article pertaining to employment credit reports will be published, tomorrow, September 23rd.

Meanwhile, I want to list the pros and cons as they have been listed on various websites.  So here are some of them…….

The Proposed California  Law, known as AB 482 (mendoza) that would restrict employer use of credit card reports as a background check for pre-employment screening purposes.

California Chamber of Commerce in what it lists as “Job Killer Bills,” had this to say–Expanded Employer Liability – Increases potential liability exposure for hiring decisions by unduly restricting the ability of businesses to use consumer credit reports as part of the background check  process.

California National Organization of Women “AB 482 (Mendoza) Ban the use of pre-employment credit checks. Support

Status: to Enrollment.

“AB 482 (Mendoza; D-Norwalk) Expanded Employer Liability. Increases potential liability exposure for hiring decisions by unduly restricting the ability of businesses to use consumer credit reports as part of the background check process. Hearing June 29 in Senate Judiciary Committee.

The League of California Cities Website.  “AB 482 (Mendoza). Employment. Credit Reports. Prohibits an employer from using credit report information, for employment purposes, unless “substantially job related,” which could result in confusion, disagreement, and litigation over what is a “substantially job related” purpose.”

California Assembly Member and Author of the Proposed Bill, Tony Mendoza’s Website—AB 482 (Credit Check) – The bill would ban employers from using consumer credit reports in the hiring process.

From the Orange County Reigster–Top 20 Bd Bills Gov. Schwarzenegger Should Veto…”AB 482 (Mendoza) – Prohibits employers from considering an applicant’s credit history during the hiring process.  (Interestingly, the U.S. military uses credit checks as one means to determine the trustworthiness of military personnel to hold secrets.)

California Assembly Committe on the Judiciary Report

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Background Checks Business Credit Reports Business Research Economy Human Resources Miscellany News Personal Background Checks Uncategorized

Financial Experts Show the Art of Getting it Wrong

We all watch the shows where financial experts tell us how to invest our money.   We watch Jim Cramer or Suzie Orman, and we listen to others on the radio, read them online or in the financial papers.   We read their financial newsletters, oh sage-like documents that they are, and sometimes we follow their advice.  Which is how some of us got into this fine mess.

Financial advisers got it wrong.   Your stockbroker, the financial group of one sort or another who for the past dozen years has been flirting with you and, more importantly, your retirement money.  How to retire and live like a king, start that second career, have nine houses around the world.  Whatever.

Turns out the only people with nine houses around the world are the financial experts who took our money or traded in in mortgages, stocks, anything that moved where they could add percentages on paper and walk away with a hefty bonus for doing what they call work.   So now here we are.   This is a new world, albeit a poorer one.

All the more reason to conduct business research, be it for your business or personal endeavors.   We have all heard of Bernard Madoff and his Ponzi scheme.   We will hear of many more Madoff’s in the future.   There will be scam artists of all sorts that will be investigated, indicted and imprisoned.   Because they made off with your money.

If you are a business, the it is really incumbent upon you to do the responsible thing.  The responsible thing is due diligence on your suppliers, your potential clients and any group with whom you are considering a partnership or co-venture.   For these you conduct business credit reports and comprehensive background reports on their key officers.   Background checks are more important than ever, and those who don’t run them are doomed for some ugly news.

So when you watch the TV and watch the financial advisers you once favored or found with at least a modicum of insight, listen to how they try to cover past mistakes.   They will do a complete turnaround on their theories, strategies and, even, principles.   And there are those out in this world of economic meltdowns that will do even worse.  If you give them chance.

Don’t give them the chance.  Check them out before you put up your money.

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Background Checks Business Research Economy Human Resources Miscellany News preemployment screening Staffing Uncategorized

Weather Channel Layoffs Marks a Change in the Weather

There has been a marked change in the weather.   At the Weather Channel that is.  NBC Universal had bought the Weather Channel back in September.   Now come the layoffs and the buyouts.  I suppose there is not enough weather to go around.

While in this harsh economy it is necessary to cut costs, cutting staff is not always the best of solutions.  Sometimes it is, mind you, and there are situations where it is strategic to cut back on employees.   but other times employee layoffs are a reflexive action.   They are a planned action, but those making the choices do not always understand  the ramifications.

If you have a business that brands itself as distinctive and special, this is often your edge over your competition.   But when you start cutting staff your customer service will suffer, your internal efficiency.  In fact, whatever distinctive qualities you have as a business may be lost in the shuffle, and you are just another generic company.  Layoffs will often lead toward the generic.

In the case of the Weather Channel, the programming while necessarily repetitive was also quirky and highlighted with special features.   The weather casters at times were odd ducks, kind of lovable outcasts from local television channels.   They didn’t try to overwhelm you with the magnificence of their warm and fuzzy personalities,  call it cornball, the way the locals often do.  There was something offcenter and engaging about the Weather Channel men and women.

If  you tuned in during the middle of the night or real early in the morning, often you would find the casters struggling to stay awake.   they would all but yawn int he camera sometimes.   I found it endearing.  Hey, how many times can you go over the weather in Syracuse and try to make it exciting.   Or Los Angeles, where it seldom changes.   Tough work when you are half-asleep, the coffee is just out of reach, and you are trying to be friendly.

So let’s see what happens?   There is an example here how you can take something that is original and in the religious belief you are being cost effective cut the guts out of it.   too many layoffs will cause such an overload.  He can be original when you are struggling just to keep up with your duties?    I hope the Weather Channel doesn’t rain on its own parade.

But who knows what will happen now?   May be it becomes little more than a bloated  version of the local news and weather.   Just another blah-blah spot on the television.