Skip to main content
#
Redstar Backgrounds, Inc.
CALL US - 888.813.4788
LOGIN
Blog
Thursday, June 30 2022
The Main Reason You Need to Screen Your Employed Drivers

More workers drive than employers might initially think.

 

Maybe you have assistants running errands on the clock. Maybe you employ a team of journalists who drive to and from interviews each day. Or, maybe you have a couple of delivery drivers on your roster. In the manufacturing and construction industries, workers who operate heavy machinery are usually considered drivers as well.

 

Employers who don’t own or manage a trucking company are often lax about looking into their team’s driving history. In most industries, however, employed drivers should still undergo background screening. And in addition to your standard background check, you’ll want to complete a Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) search.

 

What Are Motor Vehicle Records Checks?

MVR checks are also known as driver’s license checks. They shed light on applicants’ driving history and are an essential component of hiring workers who will be driving on the job.

 

Generally speaking, MVR checks are ideal for team members who drive:

 

  • A commercial vehicle
  • A company-owned vehicle
  • A personal vehicle on which the team member receives a company allowance
  • Any type of vehicle meant to transport passengers (like a limousine or cab)

 

Employers should also run MVR checks on staff who will be operating heavy machinery, or driving vehicles like cranes or tractors. In most states, individual driving records date back three to seven years.

 

Don’t Assume Your Drivers Are Safe

Far too many employers assume their drivers are safe because they interview well. If a candidate doesn’t disclose a spotty or troublesome driving record, you might not feel the need to look into their history.

 

That said, consulting the Department of Motor Vehicles in the state that issued the applicant’s license is essential. A quick search will give you all the information you need on the person’s driving-related crimes and accident history.

 

Consider the following example. Say one of your truck drivers lied about having a commercial driver’s license (CDL) in their application. If you fail to conduct a background check on this person, and they get into a serious at-fault accident in a commercial vehicle, you could be held liable for inadequate screening.

 

In the worst-case scenario, a negligent hiring lawsuit can become a wrongful death lawsuit. You’ll want to protect people on the road—and reduce your company liability—by going the extra mile in making certain that your drivers are safe.

 

Mitigate Driving Risks and Corporate Liability

The best way to reduce your liability is to tailor your screening program to each driving position. By doing so, you can streamline the background check process without putting your company property, your workers, or your community at risk.

 

MVR checks help Texas organizations like yours stay compliant with the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

 

These checks will go over everything from license types and classes, to restrictions and expiration dates. Additional information will include alcohol-related events (like DWI), suspensions and revocations, and violations or citations. Even speeding tickets will show up in the search.

 

Hire Safe Drivers with the Right Screening Program

Protect your workforce and your community by hiring workers with an impeccable driving history.

 

How can you achieve this? Many clients start by browsing the services we offer at Redstar Backgrounds and DrugScreenKits.com. Please contact us for details, or to set up a free consultation.

 

Our team can guide you through every step of building the right program for your needs. No matter your industry, we’ll work with you to craft the exact solution you need—saving you time and money, and reducing liability as a result.

 

For more information on our screening services, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Posted by: AT 11:21 am   |  Permalink   |  Email
Thursday, June 23 2022
The Costs of Not Conducting Pre-Employment Screening

Thinking of skipping pre-employment background checks the next time you consider a new hire?

 

Think again. Business owners must do their due diligence and screen job candidates before extending an offer. Without a comprehensive screening program in place, you could be putting your team and your bottom line at risk.

 

This article will outline the costs of foregoing pre-employment background checks. Keep on reading to understand why screening potential new hires is so important.

 

Why Complete New Hire Background Checks?

Say you find the perfect applicant—on paper, that is. The candidate may have appealing qualifications, a stellar resume, and a great attitude during their interview. You’re in a pinch, and you feel you’ve found your dream employee.

 

So you hire them without conducting a background check. And only later it comes to light that this person has embellished their background and failed to disclose a felony charge. Or maybe their role includes transportation, yet their driver’s license is suspended.  

 

Believing the best in people is a great quality. Many would argue we need more optimism in the world. Yet business owners need to be cautious. Pre-employment screening can help prevent surprises down the road. Plus, a background check means once the candidate is hired, you can work together with the utmost confidence.

 

What Does Pre-Employment Screening Entail?

An expert third-party can help you build the perfect screening program for your needs. A criminal records check and driving history search are just the beginning.

 

Verification services can ensure the applicant is being truthful about their current licenses, as well as their employment and education history.

 

Some employers may even choose to administer drug tests before extending an offer. This is because without a proper background check protocol, your company could incur a number of costs.

 

The Costs of Skipping Pre-Employment Screening

From negligent hiring lawsuits to the cost of turnover, screening your new hires is essential. Here are just some of the costs of foregoing a pre-employment background check.

 

  • Morale and productivity issues

Teams are more productive when they know they’re working in a safe environment. If you build a culture of trust—one where employees can count on one another—your staff will be happier. Your employee retention rate will increase, and the results will show in your bottom line.

 

  • Higher risk of safety and liability issues

Under Texas law, employers can be held liable for injuries or deaths that occur due to negligent hiring practices. Uber, for example, was sued for millions of dollars in 2018—and only then did it start thoroughly screening its drivers. Background screening can protect your organization.

 

  • A damaged reputation

Word gets around about safety issues. Similarly, people will find out if someone on the inside steals money from your company. (About 5% of corporate losses occur as a result of fraud each year.) Your reputation precedes you, and you surely don’t want to lose out on precious business.

 

Pre-employment screening can prevent these unexpected costs from harming your business. The return on investment is massive, and the peace of mind background checks bring will allow you to focus on your core business operations.

 

Build Your Pre-Employment Screening Program Today

Interested in building a comprehensive pre-employment screening program for your Texas business?

 

Curious about the services we offer at Redstar Backgrounds and DrugScreenKits.com?

 

Our team can guide you through every step. No matter your industry, we’ll work with you to craft the exact solution you need—saving you time and money, and reducing turnover and liability as a result.

 

Please contact us for details, or to set up a free consultation. For more information on our screening services, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Posted by: AT 12:10 pm   |  Permalink   |  Email
    AFFILIATIONS

     

    CONTACT US
    our twitterour facebook page linkdin
    Redstar Backgrounds, Inc.
    1828 N Webb Road Suite 1
    Grand Island, Nebraska 68803
    Client Support - 888.813.4788
    800.236.6394 (fax)
    support@redstarbackgrounds.com