I'm involved in a fairly new business which is small but growing pretty fast. We figure it'd be a good idea to start doing background checks (primarily concerned with criminal/sex-crime record) on new hires, but I'm not sure what's the best way to go about it. When I research online there're dozens of options which I've listed below. Intellius / Talentwise and US Search seem to be the best known and reputable ones, but also the most expensive. If I go with one of the more no-name sites, such as criminal-records.org, am I taking a risk that their database is incomplete/outdated, or even that using them doesn't comply with employment law (DPPA, FCRA)?
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posted by jcfudgely
on Mar 22, 2013 -
13 answers
This group has apparently been invited to speak at our office for a free "lunch and learn" seminar. On the surface it looks all legit and something our company's HR department set up to promote health and whatnot. But my spidey-sense is tingling the more I look at the flyers and try to find out stuff on the web. Best I can tell now is that this is some kind of fluffy good-health seminar backed by a heavier sales pitch at the backend. Any thoughts? What I've found is below the fold...
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posted by JoeZydeco
on Mar 11, 2013 -
11 answers
I work with someone (technically an assistant, but in reality does work for multiple people in the office, with most of their consistent work coming from me), and need to have a conversation regarding accuracy, timeliness, etc with them. Any suggestions or links to resources for the best way to approach this so they don't get defensive?
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posted by needlegrrl
on Feb 27, 2013 -
15 answers
I just started a new job as a researcher. They hired a few people around the same time as me and we all have start dates around now-ish. I've been there a week. There is a new guy starting in my department in a more senior position than me, but not supervising me, on Monday. I just got his name today and looked him up, and... there are some things about him that a little bit of digging uncovered that are sketchy. (It's definitely him, please give me the benefit of the doubt here.) His job is not likely to be impacted by these revelations about his recent past, but if it were to get out that his history includes these things, it could endanger my company's reputation if a competitor or journalist found out. Nothing he did is illegal.
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posted by anonymous
on Feb 1, 2013 -
18 answers
I am looking for recommendations for software to track/monitor/record someone's computer/Internet usage. Windows XP, one user account.
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posted by radioamy
on Jan 30, 2013 -
12 answers
There's plenty of thinking around how equity is split in startup companies, as well as projections of how much it's worth when employees cash in. Are there any real-world numbers, like there are for salaries?
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posted by tmcw
on Jan 23, 2013 -
12 answers
Have you convinced your corporate overlords to let you transition from a full-time employee to an independent contractor? FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, TELL ME HOW YOU DID IT.
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posted by julthumbscrew
on Jan 17, 2013 -
10 answers
What are the laws and or regulations about "possession" of employee/company email after an employee is terminated?
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posted by ascetic
on Dec 27, 2012 -
14 answers
[YANML] Are private sector managers in British Columbia restricted in what they can discuss amongst themselves with regards to employee's conduct or disciplinary actions taken as a result?
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posted by pahalial
on Nov 16, 2012 -
1 answer
As a supervisor, what can I do to help my assistant feel more needed or is it a lost cause? Lots of snowflakiness inside.
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posted by singinginmychains
on Oct 24, 2012 -
27 answers
I have a job that I like (or at least I like sometimes) with a boss who alternately micromanages and is totally hands-off. Morale at the store is really low, particularly lately, as we've had several big tasks to juggle. I need advice on how to deal with it. Snowflake details inside.
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posted by Harry Potter and the Puppet of Sock
on Aug 18, 2012 -
8 answers
I have a staff member who is driving me up the wall. Please help me to understand what exactly it is that she is doing - and how to deal with it.
Much more under the cut.
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posted by anonymous
on May 15, 2012 -
49 answers
Help me learn how to help people come to their own conclusions and learn from their previous experiences in a friendly manner. (Warning: super long explanation inside)
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posted by nataliedanger
on Mar 31, 2012 -
24 answers
Three questions: (1) How many current civil service employees are also reserve/national guard members, (2) How many current civil service employees were also active duty military service members, and (3) How many of both groups retired from the military? I've been to DOD, the Census, OPM ... I'm not having much luck.
posted by CollectiveMind
on Mar 16, 2012 -
5 answers
Should I confront, report, or ask a fellow employee at an educational institution about his alleged relationship/illegal activities with a student?
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posted by anonymous
on Mar 13, 2012 -
44 answers
Small business owners: Is it possible to turn down a request for a raise from employees, yet maintain workplace morale? On the flip side, have you been turned down for a raise, but stayed in your position?
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posted by anonymous
on Feb 16, 2012 -
42 answers
Can my employer force me to pay back tuition reimbursement if I leave before the required time is up?
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posted by p. kitty
on Feb 9, 2012 -
18 answers
looking for employee expense reporting solutions for a multi-national medium sized business
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posted by kingfish
on Jan 21, 2012 -
3 answers
On the way home from work today I found an employee badge that someone appeared to have dropped and lost (it was right next to the bus stop I usually wait at). The badge's owner was nowhere in sight (it was a photo ID) and I don't know anyone who works for the company identified on the badge. What's the best / quickest way to get it back to its owner, especially given tomorrow is a (US) holiday?
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posted by aecorwin
on Nov 23, 2011 -
21 answers
I have questions about the amount of training a professional should get, and how the training and the time spent on training is compensated.
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posted by garlic
on Nov 7, 2011 -
10 answers
My boss has given me a weekly budget to run "social media" bonuses for our employees (finicky teenagers). Social media experts, any tips on how to make this project effective? Also ideas for bonuses/challenges very welcome and appreciated.
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posted by ad4pt
on Oct 31, 2011 -
11 answers
What are the best questions to ask a potential employee to identify that they are knowledgable and effective as a I.T. professional?
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posted by Static Vagabond
on Oct 17, 2011 -
15 answers
What is 'jubilee' in the context of employee benefits?
posted by IndpMed
on Oct 6, 2011 -
8 answers
Question for parents who have used an in-home nanny in the past- what are some ideas for being the best nanny in the world and really impressing the parents?
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posted by skjønn
on Sep 27, 2011 -
10 answers
[Hypothetical Employment Legal Filter] In the following hypothetical employment situation, is the law being broken? If so where? Is it legally worth pursuing this and putting a hypothetical person’s business prospects in jeopardy?
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posted by anonymous
on Sep 12, 2011 -
8 answers
Any good books out there on handling employee gossip, from a managerial perspective?
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posted by anonymous
on Aug 17, 2011 -
8 answers
How do I manage a resistant employee? I'm new to this job and I need some advice on people management of a difficult person.
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posted by dawn_chorus
on Mar 31, 2011 -
20 answers
Interned with publication. Didn't follow through after internship ended. How do I mend this possibly fractured relationship with my former employer?
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posted by gypsyhymns
on Mar 10, 2011 -
4 answers
Please help! Need advice managing a smart but difficult engineer. It's stressing me out and not sure how to proceed.
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posted by zebraspots
on Mar 9, 2011 -
53 answers
Can I sue my former employer for leaking my social security number, email address and physical address?
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posted by UMDirector
on Feb 19, 2011 -
15 answers
EmployerFilter. My soon-to-be wife is around four months pregnant. Our due date is the first week of July, which at that time will be employed with her current employer for eleven months time. She currently is covered under their group insurance.
Today they informed her that they will give her seven (unpaid) days of maternity leave. They informed her they will be terminating her if she takes anything longer off. To me this sounds rotten, possibly illegal.
We are the state of Florida, USA. Can they really fire her for taking more than a week of maternity leave?
posted by AdamOddo
on Feb 7, 2011 -
27 answers
Is it legal to secretly videotape and/or record the conversations of employees in California?
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posted by joyride
on Jan 24, 2011 -
4 answers
My employer filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy with little warning. What can I and my fellow employees (both currently employed and those recently laid off) do to protect ourselves?
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posted by aristan
on Jan 16, 2011 -
9 answers
Invited to an old friend's wedding, but not as a guest. I'm feeling guilty about how I'm feeling... Am I right to feel this way?
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posted by anonymous
on Nov 8, 2010 -
75 answers
Looking for a simple, web-based employee portal for schedules, messages, photo uploads, etc.
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posted by VuMastr
on Sep 28, 2010 -
3 answers
I would like to discuss with my boss the possibility of moving from full-time employee status to contractor. My primary question is about health insurance, though I have some more general questions as well.
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posted by Lutoslawski
on Sep 27, 2010 -
18 answers
Which job title is correct: system administrator or systems administrator? Alternatives like sysadmin are too informal and the actual job title is unrelated.
posted by theclaw
on Jun 14, 2010 -
16 answers
