Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Background Checks Are Front and Center
Few B-school applicants lie on their entry materials. But that doesn't mean someone isn't taking a close look
by Francesca Di Meglio
Potential B-school students are advised to learn from the real world of business. That includes the bad episodes as well, such as the incident last year in which RadioShack (RSH) Chief Executive David Edmonson was forced to resign over résumé inaccuracies. And while most B-school applicants are honest in the application process, the prevailing attitude at many admissions offices is a variation of the Reagan-era mantra, "Trust, but verify."
For many students, that means opening up to a background check, something that's becoming more common throughout the business world. And while few applicants out-and-out lie on their entry forms, the occasional misstep does get caught. And often, the one who has overseen the catching is Brian Lapidus, vice-president for strategic development at the background screening division of risk-consulting firm Kroll (MMC) in Nashville.
Outsourcing Fact-Checking
Lapidus was a still-wet-behind-the-ears MBA student at Vanderbilt's Owen Graduate School of Management when he interned for Kroll in the early part of this decade. After reading a BusinessWeek.com article about B-school candidates lying on their applications, he proposed that Kroll use one of its core competencies, background checks, to win over MBA admissions committees as new clients (see BusinessWeek.com, 3/12/2003, "Doctored Résumés, Poisoned Applicants").
In that first year, Kroll attracted five schools to the new market (see BusinessWeek.com, 4/7/03 "Why Kroll Is on a Roll"). Today, the sector is growing, and the company works with business, medical, nursing, dental, and pharmaceutical schools to verify that applicants are telling the truth. Prices vary, depending on the needs of the school.
"There's a need for these services because applicants aren't always honest about their capabilities, to increase their chance of getting admitted," says Lapidus. For instance, he says, there was the time that an applicant referred to himself as the director of human resources for a particular company, when he was actually the executive assistant to the director. He didn't get admitted to the school in question.
Kroll is the most-mentioned company doing background checks for B-schools, though not every school identifies who's conducting background checks and how they're doing it. One way or the other—either outsourced or in-house—most B-schools these days conduct some sort of background check on potential applicants. Students—who discuss the issue in online forums—seem to take the checks as a routine part of the application process (see BusinessWeek.com Forums, "Background Verifications by B-Schools").
Internal Policies
At Rochester's Simon Graduate School of Business the admissions committee internally conducts fact-checking on about 20% to 25% of the nearly 700 applications it receives annually. A small number, about 1% to 2%, show inconsistencies that require further investigation, says Rebekah Lewin, director of admissions at Simon.
Cases that seem to be a real problem are turned over to the school's human-resources department, which has experience conducting background checks. The only time any part of the fact-checking is outsourced is when international candidates have to prove their degree is equivalent to an American Bachelor's degree. In those instances, the applicant must pay for help from World Education Services, a credential evaluation organization.
For the eight years that Lewin has worked at Simon, there has always been some sort of protocol for confirming the validity of applications. She adds that B-school candidates should think of this part of the process as another way that the school gets to know them. "It's a good thing for graduate schools to best assess and select candidates who will have a positive impact on the world around them," says Lewin.
The Wharton School at The University of Pennsylvania began working with Kroll in 2004 to conduct background checks on those who matriculate. Students pay $60 to $70 for the background check, and they're aware of this charge from the start of the application process.
The Honor System
The decision to conduct checks on employment history and recommendations came about "in the spirit of fairness and integrity in the process," says Thomas Caleel, director of MBA admissions & financial aid at Wharton. Caleel says the policy allows the staff two years to revoke admission if necessary. The admissions committee has only revoked the acceptance of a few applicants who falsified information, says Caleel, who adds that those candidates still would have been admitted if they had simply told the truth.
Nevertheless, a few B-schools are continuing to take applicants at their word. The admissions staff at Babcock Graduate School of Management at Wake Forest University, for example, considered formal background checks, and even talked to other schools about their process and policies. In the end, however, the administrators decided against it. However, applicants must sign the honor code before turning in their application.
"We try to give candidates the benefit of the doubt in the admissions process," says Admissions Director Stacy Poindexter Owen. "However, at the first sign of a 'red flag,' we follow up by contacting undergraduate institutions, recommenders, and employers. Any contradictory information results in denied admission."
Liars get caught even at schools that don't enlist a company like Kroll or have a formal policy about fact-checking. Most applicants don't have to worry, as long as they abide by the rules. "Follow the school's instructions and be honest about who you are and what you've done," advises Lapidus—or risk losing your spot in the next class. "There's no such thing as a little lie on an application," says Caleel. Honesty, obviously, remains the best policy.
Di Meglio is a reporter for BusinessWeek Online in Fort Lee, N.J.
Few B-school applicants lie on their entry materials. But that doesn't mean someone isn't taking a close look
by Francesca Di Meglio
Potential B-school students are advised to learn from the real world of business. That includes the bad episodes as well, such as the incident last year in which RadioShack (RSH) Chief Executive David Edmonson was forced to resign over résumé inaccuracies. And while most B-school applicants are honest in the application process, the prevailing attitude at many admissions offices is a variation of the Reagan-era mantra, "Trust, but verify."
For many students, that means opening up to a background check, something that's becoming more common throughout the business world. And while few applicants out-and-out lie on their entry forms, the occasional misstep does get caught. And often, the one who has overseen the catching is Brian Lapidus, vice-president for strategic development at the background screening division of risk-consulting firm Kroll (MMC) in Nashville.
Outsourcing Fact-Checking
Lapidus was a still-wet-behind-the-ears MBA student at Vanderbilt's Owen Graduate School of Management when he interned for Kroll in the early part of this decade. After reading a BusinessWeek.com article about B-school candidates lying on their applications, he proposed that Kroll use one of its core competencies, background checks, to win over MBA admissions committees as new clients (see BusinessWeek.com, 3/12/2003, "Doctored Résumés, Poisoned Applicants").
In that first year, Kroll attracted five schools to the new market (see BusinessWeek.com, 4/7/03 "Why Kroll Is on a Roll"). Today, the sector is growing, and the company works with business, medical, nursing, dental, and pharmaceutical schools to verify that applicants are telling the truth. Prices vary, depending on the needs of the school.
"There's a need for these services because applicants aren't always honest about their capabilities, to increase their chance of getting admitted," says Lapidus. For instance, he says, there was the time that an applicant referred to himself as the director of human resources for a particular company, when he was actually the executive assistant to the director. He didn't get admitted to the school in question.
Kroll is the most-mentioned company doing background checks for B-schools, though not every school identifies who's conducting background checks and how they're doing it. One way or the other—either outsourced or in-house—most B-schools these days conduct some sort of background check on potential applicants. Students—who discuss the issue in online forums—seem to take the checks as a routine part of the application process (see BusinessWeek.com Forums, "Background Verifications by B-Schools").
Internal Policies
At Rochester's Simon Graduate School of Business the admissions committee internally conducts fact-checking on about 20% to 25% of the nearly 700 applications it receives annually. A small number, about 1% to 2%, show inconsistencies that require further investigation, says Rebekah Lewin, director of admissions at Simon.
Cases that seem to be a real problem are turned over to the school's human-resources department, which has experience conducting background checks. The only time any part of the fact-checking is outsourced is when international candidates have to prove their degree is equivalent to an American Bachelor's degree. In those instances, the applicant must pay for help from World Education Services, a credential evaluation organization.
For the eight years that Lewin has worked at Simon, there has always been some sort of protocol for confirming the validity of applications. She adds that B-school candidates should think of this part of the process as another way that the school gets to know them. "It's a good thing for graduate schools to best assess and select candidates who will have a positive impact on the world around them," says Lewin.
The Wharton School at The University of Pennsylvania began working with Kroll in 2004 to conduct background checks on those who matriculate. Students pay $60 to $70 for the background check, and they're aware of this charge from the start of the application process.
The Honor System
The decision to conduct checks on employment history and recommendations came about "in the spirit of fairness and integrity in the process," says Thomas Caleel, director of MBA admissions & financial aid at Wharton. Caleel says the policy allows the staff two years to revoke admission if necessary. The admissions committee has only revoked the acceptance of a few applicants who falsified information, says Caleel, who adds that those candidates still would have been admitted if they had simply told the truth.
Nevertheless, a few B-schools are continuing to take applicants at their word. The admissions staff at Babcock Graduate School of Management at Wake Forest University, for example, considered formal background checks, and even talked to other schools about their process and policies. In the end, however, the administrators decided against it. However, applicants must sign the honor code before turning in their application.
"We try to give candidates the benefit of the doubt in the admissions process," says Admissions Director Stacy Poindexter Owen. "However, at the first sign of a 'red flag,' we follow up by contacting undergraduate institutions, recommenders, and employers. Any contradictory information results in denied admission."
Liars get caught even at schools that don't enlist a company like Kroll or have a formal policy about fact-checking. Most applicants don't have to worry, as long as they abide by the rules. "Follow the school's instructions and be honest about who you are and what you've done," advises Lapidus—or risk losing your spot in the next class. "There's no such thing as a little lie on an application," says Caleel. Honesty, obviously, remains the best policy.
Di Meglio is a reporter for BusinessWeek Online in Fort Lee, N.J.
Friday, December 22, 2006
Background checks to protect children - a man accused of sexually assaulting an 8-year-old boy he taught at a rec center also had been working with children at two Denver elementary schools. Read more
Man sold drugs at pizzeria- Police arrested a 31-year-old CiCi's Pizza manager who they believe may have been the main source of Ecstasy for Grapevine-Colleyville school district teens and operated out of the restaurant. Read more
Truckers often carry rap sheets - Of 953 truckers faulted in fatal crashes from 2000 through 2005, at least 1 in 4 had been convicted of a criminal offense or received deferred adjudication before the crash. More than 14 percent had committed drug or alcohol offenses prior to their accidents, and more than one in 10 were felons. Read more
Band director charged with student rape - The director of the Delaware State University band has been charged with second-degree rape, two counts of third-degree unlawful sexual contact, and providing alcohol to an underage person. Read more
Man sold drugs at pizzeria- Police arrested a 31-year-old CiCi's Pizza manager who they believe may have been the main source of Ecstasy for Grapevine-Colleyville school district teens and operated out of the restaurant. Read more
Truckers often carry rap sheets - Of 953 truckers faulted in fatal crashes from 2000 through 2005, at least 1 in 4 had been convicted of a criminal offense or received deferred adjudication before the crash. More than 14 percent had committed drug or alcohol offenses prior to their accidents, and more than one in 10 were felons. Read more
Band director charged with student rape - The director of the Delaware State University band has been charged with second-degree rape, two counts of third-degree unlawful sexual contact, and providing alcohol to an underage person. Read more
Sunday, November 05, 2006
INFOLINK SCREENING SERVICES ROLLS OUT VASTLY EXPEDITED AND IMPROVED ELECTRONIC
FORM I-9 COMPLIANCE PROCESS
With a click, companies can easily pre-populate the Form I-9 enabling faster completion. This electronic I-9 Form virtually eliminates human error while simultaneously creating a completely paperless I-9 process.
E-Sign Act compliant click-to-sign solution
Chatsworth, Calif., October 17, 2006 – InfoLink Screening Services, a subsidiary of Kroll Inc., working closely with Form I-9 Compliance, LLC, today announced that it has rolled out a new version of InfoLink's 'Form I-9 eSolutions' process which greatly expedites compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) – the government mandated employment eligibility program designed to identify unauthorized illegal workers. Highlights include the ability to pre-populate the Form I-9 with one click, an electronic signature using an E-Sign Act compliant click-to-sign solution, and verifying the employment eligibility of each new hire.
The Form I-9 eSolutions service substantially fills gaps in earlier processes via sophisticated error detection and 'smart form' technology. The process not only enables employers to confidently hire new employees in full compliance with the law, but also complies with existing and pending comprehensive immigration reform legislation. The negative consequences to businesses in violation of these laws are increasing.
Key highlights of InfoLink's new process include:
- Error-detecing electronic Form I-9 which virtually eliminates processing errors;
- Fast processing – InfoLink's e-Form includes automatic pre-population of sections, allowing completion, electronic signature, and electronic submission within seconds;
- Secure, paperless Form I-9 storage allowing for anytime, anywhere access for updating or government inspection;
- Automated Management alerts for expiring work authorizations enabling employees to renew and legally continue working without interruption;
- An 'Add eDocuments' feature which allows employers to attach related I-9 documents to stored I-9 Forms;
- Extensive Multi-level Management reports including pending and archived I-9 Forms, pending and archived right to work verifications, expiring work authorizations, and re-verifications;
- Optional features which instantly transmits employee data to the Social Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security to verify if that employee has a right to work in the United States.
"Aside from the important legal compliance aspects of the new electronic process, employers will find a number of benefits including less time demands on human resources staff, improved accuracy of payroll and tax reporting, and the ability to form a more stable workforce," says Barry Nadell, President of InfoLink Screening. "Additionally, this system protects jobs for individuals who have a legal right to work in the U.S."
About InfoLink Screening Services: InfoLink Screening Services is a leading provider of employment background checks, drug testing, physical exams and Form I-9 eSolutions. Thousands of companies nationwide rely on InfoLink before they finalize their hiring decisions. InfoLink's exceptional service, fast turnaround, legal compliance and accuracy enable companies to Hire with Confidence®. InfoLink operates as part of the Background Screening division of Kroll, the global risk consulting company. For more information, visit www.infolinkscreening.com or call 800-990-HIRE (4473).
About Kroll: Kroll, the world’s leading risk consulting company, provides a wide range of investigative, intelligence, financial, security and technology services through offices in more than 65 cities in over 25 countries. Kroll’s Background Screening division is comprised of InfoLink Screening Services, based in Chatsworth, Calif., Kroll Background America, Inc., based in Nashville, Tenn., and other Kroll subsidiaries in Canada, the United Kingdom, Poland, India and South Africa. In the United States, the Background Screening division provides employee and vendor background investigations and identity theft services. It serves a wide range of corporate, government and non-profit clientele, most notably those in financial services and highly regulated industries such as health care and transportation. For more information, visit www.kroll.com.
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Bush signs law for national sex offender registry - President George W. Bush on Thursday signed legislation that will establish a national sex offender registry and try to make it harder for sexual predators to reach children on the Internet. Read more
More elderly residents fall victim to caregivers - The case of a former home health care worker sentenced to prison for theft last week represents a trend in which elderly residents are falling prey to trusted caregivers, prosecutors said. Read more
1,000 felons live in Illinois nursing homes - Background checks required by a new state law have found 1,000 convicted felons—including 60 sex offenders—living at Illinois nursing homes. Read more
School contractors in the spotlight - Danville Public Schools weighs implementation of a new law requiring school contractors to verify workers' backgrounds. Read more
Coach has criminal convictions in his past - A Black Hills, VA Junior Football League coach charged with child rape has prior criminal convictions for possession of marijuana for sale and fourth-degree assault, court records show. Read more
Keeping workers in check - More and more, ever-cautious employers probe backgrounds Read more. Provisions of federal and California laws govern screening
More elderly residents fall victim to caregivers - The case of a former home health care worker sentenced to prison for theft last week represents a trend in which elderly residents are falling prey to trusted caregivers, prosecutors said. Read more
1,000 felons live in Illinois nursing homes - Background checks required by a new state law have found 1,000 convicted felons—including 60 sex offenders—living at Illinois nursing homes. Read more
School contractors in the spotlight - Danville Public Schools weighs implementation of a new law requiring school contractors to verify workers' backgrounds. Read more
Coach has criminal convictions in his past - A Black Hills, VA Junior Football League coach charged with child rape has prior criminal convictions for possession of marijuana for sale and fourth-degree assault, court records show. Read more
Keeping workers in check - More and more, ever-cautious employers probe backgrounds Read more. Provisions of federal and California laws govern screening
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Nursing home worker checks can be lacking - Employee screenings get renewed attention after the case of a woman sentenced to jail for stealing elderly patients’ morphine. Read more
Background check could have foiled embezzler - Man had three convictions when the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality put him in charge of handling payments for water permits. He later pled guilty to embezzling more than $180,000. Read more
Cable Installers & Criminal Backgrounds - Charter Communications hired a contractor with a manslaughter conviction and an installer with a suspended driver's license and two orders of protection in his past. Read more
Suspect in sex crime coached in youth event in Chesapeake - Despite a conviction four years ago and another arrest recently on charges of inappropriate conduct with a child, the 38-year-old was able to coach boys and girls at the Mayor's Cup T-Ball Classic. Read more
School hired murderer; state cancels license - The license of a private alternative school in Gresham, OR has been suspended after a teacher's aide was accused of rape and turned out to be convicted murderer. The Oregon Department of Education also has instructed the Academy of Alternatives to complete background checks on four of its staff members. Read more
Bill to track sex offenders in care homes - The Suffolk (New York) Legislature is expected to adopt a bill that will require nursing home operators to determine whether their employees, residents, volunteers and student interns are listed on the state's sex offender registry. Read more
Background check could have foiled embezzler - Man had three convictions when the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality put him in charge of handling payments for water permits. He later pled guilty to embezzling more than $180,000. Read more
Cable Installers & Criminal Backgrounds - Charter Communications hired a contractor with a manslaughter conviction and an installer with a suspended driver's license and two orders of protection in his past. Read more
Suspect in sex crime coached in youth event in Chesapeake - Despite a conviction four years ago and another arrest recently on charges of inappropriate conduct with a child, the 38-year-old was able to coach boys and girls at the Mayor's Cup T-Ball Classic. Read more
School hired murderer; state cancels license - The license of a private alternative school in Gresham, OR has been suspended after a teacher's aide was accused of rape and turned out to be convicted murderer. The Oregon Department of Education also has instructed the Academy of Alternatives to complete background checks on four of its staff members. Read more
Bill to track sex offenders in care homes - The Suffolk (New York) Legislature is expected to adopt a bill that will require nursing home operators to determine whether their employees, residents, volunteers and student interns are listed on the state's sex offender registry. Read more
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Hill Impasse Spurs States to Tackle Illegal Immigration - State legislatures around the nation are considering hundreds of proposals dealing with illegal immigration, reflecting the exasperation of many local officials with Congress's failure to contend with the millions of undocumented workers who have entered the nation in recent years. Read more
Teen who says art teacher abused him sues board -
A Miramar teenager who told police his middle school teacher molested him is suing the Broward School Board for negligence. Read more
Food-stamp workers had criminal backgrounds - In a rush to find workers after Hurricane Wilma, Florida's Department of Children and Families hired dozens of temporary workers with criminal backgrounds to handle food-stamp applications that contained Social Security numbers and other personal information. Read more
Teen who says art teacher abused him sues board -
A Miramar teenager who told police his middle school teacher molested him is suing the Broward School Board for negligence. Read more
Food-stamp workers had criminal backgrounds - In a rush to find workers after Hurricane Wilma, Florida's Department of Children and Families hired dozens of temporary workers with criminal backgrounds to handle food-stamp applications that contained Social Security numbers and other personal information. Read more
Monday, April 17, 2006
Senate OKs bill on ex-cons in nursing homes - The proposed law calls for nursing homes to pay for criminal background checks on all adult residents and requires registered sex offenders to be segregated in their own bedrooms. Read more
More states consider guns-at-work legislation - Legislation being proposed in Georgia and Virginia that would allow licensed gun owners to legally store weapons in vehicles parked on company property may heighten fears of increased workplace violence incidents among area security directors. Read more
City jailer resigns in wake of investigation - A A Zanesville, Ohio corrections officer has resigned after an internal investigation revealed he has a history of sexual harassment and lied on his job application. Read more
Knowing is half the battle, especially for new hires - Workplace assaults total 2 million each year. Employee theft costs $40 billion annually and causes 30 percent of business failures. Lawsuits for negligent hiring are on the rise and can cost a company millions. Read more
RESUMES: JUST THE FACTS, PLEASE - A report released in 2005 by InfoLink Screening Services said that 14 percent of employees lied about education on their resumes. Read more
In Wake of Student's Murder, Lawmakers Press To Allow Officers To Work as Bouncers - Read more
More states consider guns-at-work legislation - Legislation being proposed in Georgia and Virginia that would allow licensed gun owners to legally store weapons in vehicles parked on company property may heighten fears of increased workplace violence incidents among area security directors. Read more
City jailer resigns in wake of investigation - A A Zanesville, Ohio corrections officer has resigned after an internal investigation revealed he has a history of sexual harassment and lied on his job application. Read more
Knowing is half the battle, especially for new hires - Workplace assaults total 2 million each year. Employee theft costs $40 billion annually and causes 30 percent of business failures. Lawsuits for negligent hiring are on the rise and can cost a company millions. Read more
RESUMES: JUST THE FACTS, PLEASE - A report released in 2005 by InfoLink Screening Services said that 14 percent of employees lied about education on their resumes. Read more
In Wake of Student's Murder, Lawmakers Press To Allow Officers To Work as Bouncers - Read more
