Health Providers at Risk Without “SAFE HIRING” Practices
Background Screening Uncovers Applicants’ Criminal Backgrounds
Chatsworth, CA, April 24, 2001—Health care providers have reason to
practice “safe hiring” according to the results of study released today which
shows that 11.5% of employment applicants (better than one in ten) carry
criminal records, whether felony or misdemeanor. Other than those offering
in-home health care, health providers are not required by law to conduct
criminal searches. However, the study validates precautions taken by
organizations that conduct such screening anyway. The study was conducted
internally by InfoLink Screening
Services, Inc., a nationwide screening company and provider of
background screening to over 1,200 health care facilities across the country.
“The security measures of health care providers are a consumer issue,” states
Barry Nadell, President and co-founder of InfoLink Screening Services. “If you
are a patient or related to one, you want to feel comfortable with the people
delivering that care. More and more providers are taking advantage of
background screening to ensure that the environment they offer to both their
patients and staff is a secure
Major findings of the study reveal that of those with criminal records,
auto-related crimes were the largest category of offence at 34.8%, followed by
theft/fraud offences at 20.8%. Crimes of violence or threatened violence
accounted for 15.4% of the crimes uncovered. Another 14.9% were caused by
alcohol and narcotics offenses. The remaining 14.5%, classified
“miscellaneous”, included crimes such as prostitution, violation of probation,
contempt of court, criminal trespass and others.
Within the largest category of automotive-related crimes, key sub-categories
included DUIs accounting for 42.3% of offenses, unlicensed drivers for 19.5%
and driving with a suspended license for 18.1%. The theft/fraud category of
convictions was split between theft convictions of 78.3% (including theft,
grand theft, petty theft, shoplifting, burglary) and fraud convictions of 21.7%
(including forgery, welfare fraud, passing worthless checks)
Convictions in the violence/threats category consisted mainly of battery (44.1%)
or public disturbance (35.3%); the latter category including arson, fighting in
public, resisting arrest, disturbing the peace and creating a public nuisance.
The study addressed 1,920 applications from fifteen randomly selected California
providers. Each organization had processed over 100 applicants dating from as
early as April, 1999, to the present. The study addressed searches of criminal
records only and did not include other types of screening such as DMV records,
Social Security identity checks, credit checks, or checks of past employment
and education which can also be run by prospective employers. The report is one
in a series conducted by InfoLink to identify and address the employment
screening requirements of specific industries it serves.
Employers may not deny employment to an applicant strictly due to a past
conviction or convictions, unless their profession is one where laws prohibit
hiring those with criminal backgrounds, or unless the employer can show the
conviction relates directly to the position applied for. However, many
applicants disqualify themselves by attempting to conceal past convictions
which are nevertheless uncovered during background screening by a professional
consumer-reporting agency.
About InfoLink:
InfoLink is a nationwide provider of background
screening, drug and alcohol testing programs and products, drug awareness
training for employers, behavioral assessments and employment physicals. The
company offers excellent service, fast turnaround of information, legal
compliance and competitive pricing.
InfoLink developed it’s The HIRE ProgramÒ
to provide the latest online technology allowing clients to request background
searches, view reports in progress, view completed reports, print reports
anytime or store reports online via InfoLink's secure Web site.
For more information on InfoLink call 818/800-990-HIRE (4473) or visit
www.infolinkscreening.com.
|