Sunday, June 8, 2008

Sittercity Service Review - Should You Take Advantage of Their Background Checks?

Every day you hear the nightmare on the evening news: ?Another child abused by his babysitter? or ?A child is abused at daycare.? It is so common that it has left many parents left to go to great lengths to protect their children from their very own babysitters.

A babysitter matchmaking service, called Sittercity, offers to help by offering background checks on their sitters. Will this help? Should you take advantage of this option?

Let?s be honest with ourselves. Not every person is as nice as they seem. While running a care companion company that focused on providing in-home care for the elderly, I received many good resumes from people who seemed extremely pleasant and were good candidates for employment. However, after running the mandatory background check, I found abuse allegations and one woman who even had assaulted her own mother! Do you think I now wanted to hire them to care for my elderly clients? No way!

You don?t want someone like that caring for your loved ones either. So go ahead and use Sittercity or other resources to find good candidates to fit your needs, but don?t skip the background check. That last step makes all the difference and, from my experience, it does make a difference. It will show everything from a traffic ticket to a felony.

Even if you are hiring a babysitter without a matchmaking service, there are online companies that specialize in the background checks for any type of employer. This would be well worth the investment as well.

So even if you meet a babysitting candidate for the first time and think that he or she is wonderful, make sure you spend time reading their online reviews and do not fail to take advantage of the background checks that they make available. This service is definitely worth your time. After all, you are protecting your most important things in life?your kids.

Sheryl Frey is a mom dedicated to helping others by recommending good parenting sites like "Sittercity". For more information, visit http://www.sittercityreview.com

 

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Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Positive Aspects Of Background Checking

Who is your neighbor? Really who are they? You know his name is John and he's a mechanic, but did you know that he got divorced 8 years ago because he and his ex-wife filed for bankruptcy and couldn't seem to work things out? Did you know that your elderly retired neighbours across the street seem to have nothing else better to do but file lawsuits against people who they believe have done them wrong? These are just a few of the many things that you can discover with a background check program, from the comfort of your own home.

Every second more and more people are brought into this world and with a higher population comes a higher amount of criminals, it's inevitable, unfortunately. Of course there are many good people in the world as well, but how good are they? Maybe they too have a dent in their history. The Internet is truly amazing there are so many things we can find out with minimal effort compared to 20 years ago. You no longer need a private investigator, you no longer need to go out of your way or risk someone finding out that you are curious about their history. You can now find closely-guarded information about your boss, employees, friends, neighbors, doctor, ex-spouse, lovers? Investigate potential dates, applicants, business partners. Even search the information others could learn about you.

Why risk potentially putting yourself in harms way because you neglected to do a background check on someone? There are so many good cons and liars out there. There are pedophiles who neglect to register in the community you are living there are people with criminal records living as close to you as next door, but you'll never know unless you find out. You may own a business and neglect to check a persons criminal record and they turn out to have been arrested on theft charges. Sometimes being a little snoopy can save your butt!

For more information on online detective programs check out the review located at http://detectiveswork.blogspot.com

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Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Background Checking On A Nanny

It is important that the person you hire as a nanny for your child basically likes children, and is responsible. A good nanny is one who has fun with the child while at the same time knows when to be serious and firm.

The first step in the process of hiring a nanny for your child is to interview her and get a minimum of three references. Then take the time to get in touch with each and every one of these references. Do not hesitate to ask detailed questions about her. For example you could ask about how she deals with the children, how she took care of a particular situation, the reason for her leaving and whether they would hire her back and about any other information or doubts that you may have.

Make out an exhaustive application for the candidate to fill out. This way you can ensure that you have all the important information correctly, for example, name or names that she may have used in the past, date of birth, address, social security number, qualifications, names and addresses of five previous employers, in addition to at least three references. Upon getting the candidate to complete the form, take the time to get in touch with all the people mentioned in the form to find out more details about her.

For instance see if the information that she gave you about her previous places of employment and employers correspond with your findings. If she has mentioned any relative?s name, then call them up and check out the relation. If you discover any untruth in this, then beware, for if she is capable of lying once, then in all probability, she will continue to do so, for other matters too.

Even after all the information given by the candidate tallies with your findings, you must go by your instinct. You should hire her only if you are totally comfortable with her and feel that you can trust her. If you feel the slightest doubt or apprehension, then don?t hire her. Not only is it important for you to be comfortable, you should ensure that your children feel at ease with her. It is pointless to hire someone who is probably perfect as a nanny, but is someone with whom your children have absolutely no rapport. Hiring someone who is not only suitably qualified and trustworthy, but also shares a mutually comfortable relationship with your children is the winning combination that guarantees you peace of mind.

Swati Banerjee is the owner of Writing Ink, a web content management firm based out of India, that services clients from across the globe. Please take a minute to visit http://www.writing-ink.com to experience how the bright young minds here make magic with words!

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Thursday, May 8, 2008

The Purpose of Background Checks

The purpose of carrying out background investigations is to verify that applicants for employment in sensitive positions do not have a history of activity that would make them unsuitable for the position for which they are being considered. Failure or slack in performing pre-employment background checks could destroy everything a business owner or manager has worked hard to build. Background checks and employee screenings are a must in today's business and domestic climate. It is seen that companies and families often do not adequately screen their new applicants. This can prove to be a big mistake as hiring crooks and cons can prove to be extremely costly and is liable to cause immense mental trauma.

Background checks serve many purposes. They tend to leave a person with the peace of mind in knowing that they have made the right decision in the hiring process. Business owners often feel they are entitled to know details of their workforce and what their background is. Employers should also include notification of the types of background checks carried out, in their pre-employment literature. Often employers do not have the time, resources or authority to complete such detailed investigations. In order to obtain this peace of mind, it is necessary to hire a background investigation firm.

Background checking cannot furnish employers with everything they want, but the information provided helps in obtaining many other kinds of information. It provides information by accessing criminal databases, sex-offender registries, workers compensation histories and critical screening for driver's licenses, employment history and educational history. Often conducting an appropriate background check can help a person avoid unwanted negative circumstances. In a business, a bad hire can prove to be devastating for a firm. A low level employee possessing a previous record of fraud might mange to embezzle a few thousand dollars. They may also drive away customers, or at the least consistently not show up for work costing you your hard earned customers business. At the domestic front hiring an employee with a criminal or fraudulent background may prove to be disastrous. The purpose of a background check is to facilitate prevention rather than cure.

Background Checks provides detailed information on Background Checks, Criminal Background Checks, Employment Background Checks, Online Background Checks and more. Background Checks is affiliated with Criminal Background Search.

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Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Nanny Background Checks

The role of a nanny is more than a babysitter. Nannies are expected to take part in the social, psychological and cerebral development of their charges. They work with children in areas such as language development, social manners, homework, and more. Often families prefer hiring nannies that stay for a minimum period of one year on the job. This is done to make sure that the children have continuity in their training and childcare. Applicants who do not feel that they can commit to a year might think about other types of childcare work until they are contented with the commitment. Before hiring a nanny, care should be taken to check her references carefully. It is also advisable to have a background check done to obtain further information.

Preferably a nanny should be a person who is well known to the family. Nanny background checks should be performed on any candidate that a person is contemplating to hire. A person who is unknown to a family may have a pleasing personality and a glowing list of references. However, it is advisable to make sure she is who she says she is and she's not hiding any criminal record or shaky financial past that may indicate irresponsible behavior. Agencies hiring out the services of a nanny usually conduct adequate background checks. Even if a person hires a nanny through an agency they should verify that the background checks have been conducted and by what company.

People generally have two choices when performing background checks. One option would be making the calls and perhaps visiting the county courthouse themselves, or hiring the services of a private agency to do all the groundwork People are advised not to hire anyone they do not trust or that they believe to be dishonest. Even if all the information checks out, they should listen to their gut feeling and not hire anyone they aren't comfortable with.

A number of private and public agencies are available to carry out the function of background checks. Information regarding the same can be obtained on the Internet or the Yellow Pages.

Background Checks provides detailed information on Background Checks, Criminal Background Checks, Employment Background Checks, Online Background Checks and more. Background Checks is affiliated with Criminal Background Search.

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Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Free Background Checks

The word 'free' catches pretty much anyone's attention. However, conducting a background check is a crucial procedure that requires a lot of time and effort. Thus employers are advised to be extra careful while dealing with offers for free background investigations. The Internet provides a plethora of information relating to agencies that provide free background searches. However, upon a closer detailed examination of these 'free' offers, it is apparent that information that a person needs is not really free at all. Though finding out if a person has any outstanding warrants, any criminal charges may be possible but in order to examine the details of the findings paying a fee is a must. It is possible for employers to find the information by themselves. The Internet provides a number of public records, which are searchable online. Apart from this, another method is to contact the local police or sheriff?s department.

A free people search on the Internet generally starts with one of the many free people finders that a number of websites offer today. Often, this type of free people search offers little if any useful information. Often the information tends to be old, outdated or just plain wrong. Availing of such free information depends on the laws of a particular state and the employer's needs. Depending on such laws information may be acquired for free from one of these agencies. Privacy advocates advise people to be cautious while dealing with companies claiming the ability to find out anything about anybody. Often these companies may be violating federal laws regarding privacy. It is advised that the hiring company knows as much about the investigating company's practices prior to their hire.

In spite of the many drawbacks exhibited by a free background-checking agency there also exists a few plus points. Casual and less complicated data can be easily obtained by these agencies. Often the database existing with such agencies also tend to be pretty informative.

Background Checks provides detailed information on Background Checks, Criminal Background Checks, Employment Background Checks, Online Background Checks and more. Background Checks is affiliated with Criminal Background Search.

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Types Of Background Checks

There are quite a few types of background checks that can be done on a job applicant. These include credit checks, criminal record checks, driving records, and past employer checks. Even though it may be difficult to find candidates to fill all positions within an organization, cautious business practices require a person to conduct certain essential checks on potential employees. This is undertaken for the sake of restraining probable liabilities that can occur from neglectful hiring practices.

Credit checks are often carried out for positions that contain financial responsibilities. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) directs using credit checks for employment selection purposes. This is particularly true if the position involves handling large sums of money or exercising financial prudence. If the position does not involve this type of responsibility, the employer must be very cautious. It is a good practice to curb the use of credit reports to circumstances where this type of information is essential. Credit checks are of two types investigative consumer credit reports and consumer credit reports. An analytical consumer credit report contains a written report along with interviews from friends and neighbors. A written notice is to be given to a candidate before an analytical credit check is carried out

Criminal background check refers to the checking of a person?s past record in order to find out whether the person has carried out any criminal activity or not. Information regarding the same can be obtained from the police department or public courtrooms. Conducting a criminal background check enables a person to satisfy himself regarding the other person?s status. Employers are required to conduct a criminal record check for positions, which contain close, unsupervised contact with the public.

Employers should check the driving records of all aspirants who will be operating a company vehicle. This should be done before hiring the applicant and periodically right through the period of employment. It is the responsibility of the employer to check the driving records. Employers are also required to check if the applicant has a legitimate driver's license.

Other types of background checks include previous employer record checks, Social Security number checks, educational credentials check, and nanny background checks.

Background Checks provides detailed information on Background Checks, Criminal Background Checks, Employment Background Checks, Online Background Checks and more. Background Checks is affiliated with Criminal Background Search.

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Sunday, January 27, 2008

Free Criminal Records And Background Checks - Secrets You Need To Know

The employee is a vital part of a company's business. In fact, one can even say that the employee makes a company for surely without him, the company can never be. Employees are the workforce that keeps a company going. They serve as the fuel that keeps business operations going like a well-oiled machine. For this reason, hiring individuals to become prospective employees of a company are serious matters of interest and one that can never be relegated as dismal.

Why Conduct Free Criminal Records and Background Checks?

That is an understandable question to ask. With the prices quoted by public records researchers these days, why indeed. However, if the hiring process is the key to keeping the business intact for a long time, then free criminal records and background checks are what make the hiring process thorough and exhaustive.

Free criminal records and background checks helps a company make better-informed decisions during the pre-employment screening. The information they provide are indispensable as they are the determinants of a person's character. In a way, free criminal records and background checks are steps that a company can take to protect its own interest. There have been too many cases in the past wherein no background checks whatsoever was made on an individual and so when that individual was hired as an employee and then later on committed a crime in the context of his or her job, the company was held liable.

Negligence particularly on issues concerning negligent hiring, supervision, security, training, and retention can not only cause loss in productivity but at the extreme end, workplace violence as well that could very well cost the lives of other employees. And thus, it is the responsibility of the company as well as a right to protect its assets and interests, including its employees from incidents that may arise due to the lack of free criminal records and background checks.

State Requirement

Several states in the U.S. have laws requiring free criminal records and background checks during the pre-employment process. States, such as Florida, are especially particular about free criminal records and background checks on certain industries where "care" is provided as a service. Thus, any prospective employee or volunteer of a facility for the elderly, children, and people with disabilities are required by state statute and by federal law to undergo free criminal records and background checks.

Today, 29 states in the United States keep central repositories for the purpose of providing information to those conducting free criminal records and background checks. As of this time, there is no known "national" database of criminal history information and the most you could do to conduct a nationwide search is to visit each state repository individually. Fortunately, the Internet has made it possible for you to do this right on your computer screen.

Find Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime... Dig Up Dirt on Anybody... Even Uncover Secrets and Closely-Guarded Information... Plus, Do It All Legally and Without Anyone Ever Finding Out! Visit the Criminal Background Check site for more information

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Thursday, January 17, 2008

Is an instant background check even possible?

Given that there are more than 12 million illegal immigrants in the United States and that information on U.S citizens is scattered across various databases all over 3,142 counties, it is safe to conclude that an instant background check is not possible at present. Yet, there are innumerable companies that purportedly offer instant background checks. These checks are offered at very low rates and sometimes are done free-of-charge. The apparent speedy dispensation of information and low cost are the main reasons that employers try out this option.

As of now the unavailability of a universal database on American citizens means that a background check can take time and requires a fair amount of follow-ups and co-ordination. Companies offering instant background checks have mushroomed because the demand for background screening has gone up and H.R departments are invariably stressed for time. However, what one needs to understand is that outsourcing background checks is a recent phenomenon and there are still no standards set regarding the extent of information to be mined and the manner in which the information should be construed. Companies that opt for instant background checks often end up losing money instead of saving it. The cost of a thorough background check that covers criminal records, education, driving records, and drug tests is well worth the money spent because it is far less than having to recruit an employee all over again if a job-seeker once selected and trained turns out to have a record less than satisfactory. The costs that a company may face if an unqualified employee is made to leave include rehiring, retraining, loss in productivity, healthcare, as well as potential lawsuits.

Instant background checks may be possible if the database is on the residents of a limited area such as a county or even a state. In such a scenario, it can provide efficient pre-employment screening including social security number checks and employment credit reports. It is important to understand that in order to provide instant credit checks the databases need to be updated in real-time so that changes in an individual's records can be incorporated.

For instant background checks to become the norm, several technically innovative solutions will need to be implemented. These solutions would enable the installation of registration depots across the country that would contain records such as the name, date and place of birth, social security number, photograph, fingerprints, and driving records of individuals. This information would be fed to a central database that would be accessible from anywhere in the United States. An instant background check would not only help employers but also enable transparent business and help the government in curbing drug running and fraudulent activities.

Stanley Alpin recommends Background Check Guide for more information on ordering an instant background check.

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Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Doctor Background Check

Why check a doctor?s background?

We all want the best possible surgeon or physician when it comes to our healthcare. We know all physicians and surgeons do not have the same training and experience, especially in today?s advanced medical health-care environment. No doctor will tell you outright whether he/she has been disciplined or had one or more malpractice judgments issued against him/her. The only way to find out, is to ask or research the surgeon or physician yourself.

Free Doctor Information

Is there such a thing as free doctor information? Absolutely; you can find free doctor information by contacting your state medical board or by browsing online. The question is, how much information can you get for free and how accurate will it be? Most state medical boards do not charge; however, most (if not all) offer limited background information on doctors. Very few establishments (less than a handful) specialize in providing information relating to doctor?s credentials. That?s why it?s important to find out how credible the company is, and what type of doctor-related information they offer.

Doctors? Credentials

Just by looking at a doctor?s credentials will not guarantee you will receive high quality health care. However, you can use several important criteria to find an experienced well-trained physicians or surgeon.

Tips:

? If your are looking for a specialist, make sure he/she is board-certified in his/her respective
? field of specialty.
? Make sure no disciplinary actions has been instituted.
? Look closely at malpractice judgments, and how many have been brought against the practitioner (more than three is not good)
? Find out if he/she is fellowship-trained in their specialty field. This-is usually a good sign.
? Look for hospital affiliations or membership affiliations; the more there are, the better.
? Physician or surgeon has been practicing medicine five years or more.
? Research to see if they have teaching responsibilities at any hospitals etc.
? Look for a physician or surgeon who has been practicing medicine for five years or more.
? Research to see if they have teaching responsibilities at any hospitals or other medical institutions.
? Find out how much of the physician?s practice focuses on the medical condition/surgery you request.
? Find out if the physician/surgeon has any awards, or is involved in his/her community.

Research a Doctor
How do I research a doctor? The Internet is loaded with many sites which claim to have information about doctors? credentials information. And yes, most of them do; however, you want to make sure you get more than just a doctor?s license number and contact information. For more comprehensive information, consider contacting the following sources.

? Your local library
? Your state medical board
? The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), a non-profit organization comprising 24 medical specialty boards.
? The medical society relevant to your intended physician or surgeon?s field of specialty.
? American Medical Association , if a member

Bottom line.

Every physician or surgeon has a different background of experience and training. The more research you conduct into this background, the more it will increase your chances of finding a health-care provider who will satisfy your medical needs. Hugo Gallegos is founder & president of http://www.mdnationwide.org call Toll Free 1 877-242-8556.

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