Unfortunately in many cases the
crucial significance of screening employees to ensure
a safe and productive workplace is not realized until
there's been some lawsuit or alarming situation.
In an effort to get HR to think
more about the potential risks associated with failing
to screen applicants, Triad has compiled these industry
facts.
Problem
Hires
The Employers Resource
Association estimates the cost of replacing employees’
ranges from $6,000 to $11,000 per hire, depending on
their industry and rank.
For every dollar
employers invest in background screening, the savings
range from five to sixteen dollars in:
· Reduced absenteeism
· Improved productivity
· Lower turnover
· Safer working environment
· Reduced insurance Premiums
· Decreased employer liability
It costs $7,000 to replace a salaried employee, $10,000
to replace a mid-level employee, and $40,000 to replace
a senior executive.
*Source: Recruiting Times
In 1999, employers lost 60% of negligent hiring/supervision
jury trials.
*Source: The Reish & Luftman Practical Guide to
Employment Law
On average, in U.S.
businesses, at least half of all new hires “don’t
work out.” *Source: Fortune, 2/00
Employee
Theft
The U.S. Trade Commission
estimate of theft in the workplace ranges from 5.5 billion
in 1982 to $60+ billion today. Greed is the main motivator,
but office politics, revenge and other factors may also
play a part.
30% of all business failures are caused by employee
theft.
*Source: American Management Association and US Chamber
of Commerce
14.7% of all applicants
admit to theft of merchandise from an employer.
*Source: Reid Psychological Systems (Don’t Hire
a Crook, Dennis DeMay; James R. Flowers, Jr., 1999 Facts
on Demand Press, pg. 88)
4.4% of all applicants
admit to theft of cash from an employer.
*Source: Reid Psychological Systems (Don’t Hire
a Crook, Dennis DeMay; James R. Flowers, Jr., 1999 Facts
on Demand Press, pg. 88)
33% of all applicants
admit to being tempted to steal from an employer.
*Source: Security Magazine, 3/97
Drug Use
Workers who are
under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Increase
accidents - 3.6 times more likely to injure
themselves or another person in a workplace accident.
5 times more likely
to be injured in an accident off the job which, in turn,
affects attendance and performance on the job.
Increase
medical claims - 5 times more likely to file
a worker’s compensation claim.
Increase
absenteeism - 2.5 times more likely to have
absences of eight days or more.
Excessive tardiness - returning from
lunch or on Monday mornings.
Increase product defects - are more
likely to have difficulty concentrating, more difficulty
recalling instructions, more difficulty with complex
assignments.
Increase insurance costs
Increase employee theft
Decrease productivity
Workplace
Violence
Violence in the
workplace has become the leading vital safety issue
for the 130 million people plus members of the United
States labor force. The Census of Fatal Occupational
Injuries (CFOI) reported that of the 6,112 job-related
fatal injuries in 1996, 15 percent were homicides. This
places homicide second only to motor vehicle accidents
as a source of workplace fatalities.
Problems
that relate to workplace violence:
Compensation claims
Insurance costs
Lost productivity
Counseling for employees
Grievances
Lawsuits
Extra security
Steps to
prevent having a violent or dangerous employee:
The safety and
security of the Company’s employees, customers,
vendors, contractors, and the general public are of
vital importance. Therefore, an act of violence made
by an employee against another person’s life,
health, well-being, family, or property will not be
tolerated. Employees found guilty of acts or threats
of violence will be subject to discipline, up to and
including immediate termination.
The company
prohibits the following:
1) any act or threat
of violence made by an employee against another;
2) any act or threat of violence, including, but not
limited to, intimidation, coercion, or harassment;
3) any act or threat of violence which endangers the
safety of employees, customers, vendors, contractors,
or the general public;
4) any act or threat of violence made directly or indirectly
by words, gestures, or symbols;
5) use or possession of a weapon on the Company’s
premises.
It is a requirement that employees report, in accordance
with this policy, any behavior that compromises the
Company’s ability to maintain a safe work environment.
All reports will be investigated immediately and kept
confidential except where there is a legitimate need
to know.
Warning
Signs
Personal Appearance,
Behavior, and Attitude
Wild or violent
mood swings during work hours for no reason
Personal appearance becomes un-kept.
Constant unusual accidents on or off the job
Relations
with Co-Workers
Complaints from
co-workers
Complaints from clients
Has other workers take over tasks unnecessarily
Over reacts to criticism or suggestions
Avoids conversation with co-workers' absenteeism
Excessive use of sick leave
Tardiness or long lunches
Regularly absent from post
Frequent days off with vague excuses
Job Productivity
Missed deadlines
Failure to follow procedure
Errors in judgment
Erratic or deteriorating productivity
Typical workplace murderer
1. Middle-aged
2. Poor self esteem
3. History of drug/alcohol abuse
4. History of aggression
5. Complains of work stress
source: Illinois
State Police
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