|
Blog Friday, January 29 2021
 You know what they say about quality control: It’s essential!
It’s especially important in manufacturing, as manufacturing companies need their products to go above and beyond what’s required.
To make sure they’re doing just that, these organizations need to make sure their staff go above and beyond as well.
Employment Screening in the Manufacturing Industry Today approximately 12 million U.S. employees work in the manufacturing industry.
As the nation’s fifth-largest industry employer, skillsets are varied. Your team’s talent may range from research and development, to design, production, logistics, operations, and other areas.
This diversity is key to a healthy team—but some things are meant to be a constant. Trust, integrity, and a sound work ethic are some of the qualities that shouldn’t vary from person to person.
Enter an employment screening company like Redstar Backgrounds. We can help you design and implement a screening program that will allow you to sift through applicants and ensure you hire the best of the best. Our approach helps manufacturing companies throughout Texas:
Generally speaking, hiring the right candidates in manufacturing can be quite challenging. Most internal human resources departments are forced to grapple with a stream of applications alongside other daily tasks—and far too often, key information slips through the cracks.
This won’t be the case with a designated background screening company. From reference checks and drug testing, to employment verification and Motor Vehicle Reports (MVRs), our team will curate a program to streamline your hiring process.
What Should Manufacturing Companies Screen for? Hiring is complex no matter what industry you work in. In manufacturing, however, employers must balance a great deal of physical risks along with the usual challenges that come with taking on new staff.
This makes the overall hiring process a complex procedure. From assessing candidates’ skills and licensure, to identifying who would be the best fit within the company, there’s a great deal that goes into it.
And in manufacturing, there’s also a great deal at stake. By hiring the wrong candidates, employers risk facing poor quality assurance and a high incident rate. Expensive penalties might ensue—among them failure to comply with DOT and OSHA requirements.
Ultimately, though, these risks can be mitigated by way of a comprehensive background check program. An effective approach to manufacturing background screening will include the following:
Looking to excel as a manufacturing company? Ensuring compliance by hiring the best possible staff is a solid place to start. This process begins by integrating employment verification screening, drug testing, and other common practices into your hiring.
Texas Manufacturing Companies Need Trustworthy and Qualified Staff Whether you’re located in San Antonio, Dallas, Houston, Austin, Corpus Christi, or another Texas city, you have plenty of manufacturing talent at your disposal.
That said, candidates can ace their interview and still present a number of red flags: among them a history of drug abuse, frequent absenteeism, or fudged resumes.
This doesn’t have to be the case. By screening each applicant before making a hiring decision, you can save ample time and money, and ensure the same quality control you do on your products. All it takes is a standardized pre-employment screening process to build a team of trustworthy, hardworking, and honest staff.
Are you interested in learning more about background screening in the manufacturing industry? Contact Redstar Backgrounds for details. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for more information. Monday, January 25 2021
 Healthcare is a fast-paced industry that requires a great deal of transparency.
This overarching sense of trust is paramount not only between medical staff and patients, but between staff and their employer as well.
As such, employers like Texas hospitals and specialty clinics must do their due diligence in hiring only the most honest, qualified candidates.
The healthcare industry is subject to federal and state requirements that evolve regularly—and candidates need to be both qualified and capable of providing the highest level of care.
With that, we have to ask: Are you hiring team members you can trust?
Background Screening in the Medical Field No doubt employers should screen their candidates before making a hiring decision.
In healthcare, however, this is especially important. Foregoing background screening in the medical field would be unethical. It wouldn’t be acting in the patient’s best interest.
But with a sound background screening program in place, you can evaluate each candidate’s integrity, career history, and credentials. A medical background check can also provide clarity on specific applicants so you can determine who would be the best fit for the job.
Like we mentioned above, each state has different requirements for healthcare team members. It can be difficult to keep up, yet with a screening company like Redstar Backgrounds available to help, you can go above and beyond in ensuring a safe and honest workplace.
The right background check company will oversee everything from reference checks and employment verification, to license checks and drug testing. Our expert team will gladly help you screen candidates in the medical field.
What Goes into Healthcare Worker Background Checks? There are a number of items for which healthcare employers must screen. These include:
Medical background checks also include a federal exclusion search. The U.S. government keeps a list of healthcare workers who are prohibited from receiving federal funds—and this check is designed to help employers avoid hiring prospects who could prevent their business from participating in programs like Medicare.
This may sound overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. A seasoned Texas background screening company with experience in the medical field can protect your patients and bottom line, all while preserving your company culture.
Screening Texas Medical Teams: 3 Reasons to Do So Healthcare facilities in Texas cities like San Antonio, Dallas, Houston, Austin, and Corpus Christi can create a custom background screening program that will go above and beyond in ensuring cutting-edge patient care.
If your employer doesn’t yet have a streamlined screening program, here are three reasons to create one today:
Mistakes happen—but in medicine, they should be avoided at all costs. Screening candidates before hiring them can pinpoint potential red flags and ensure you only welcome applicants with the most promising employment history.
Hospitals, clinics, and other medical employers are required to ensure patient confidentiality under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. By screening applicants before you onboard them, you can rest assured those you serve will be in good hands.
Employee turnover is expensive. So are lawsuits—and losing patients to a competing provider can be just as costly. This is where a comprehensive background screening program may come in. Why not mitigate potential issues by preventing them from occurring in the first place?
Please contact Redstar Backgrounds for more information on medical background screening. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
Monday, January 18 2021
 When it comes to eldercare, background checks are critical. Seniors—whether they live in a retirement community or work with a caregiver through an agency—must be in good hands.
This is where a comprehensive background screening process may come in. We’ll gladly help your company develop a streamlined, effective approach to protecting the residents in your care.
The Importance of Background Checks in Eldercare Background checks promote safety in the workplace—in large part by helping companies reduce their chances of making regrettable hiring decisions.
Not only are these checks important, but they might even be required. For example, The National Child Protection Act of 1993 requires criminal background checks for all eldercare and childcare positions.
While it’s natural to want to see the best in people—and being overly skeptical isn’t always a great look—background checks are particularly important in caregiving positions.
How so? Seniors who work with caregivers are especially vulnerable to theft or abuse, and they deserve to be taken care of by the most professional candidates around. A background check will search for red flags in the applicant’s employment history, keeping problem candidates out of the profession (or at minimum, your company).
What Does Senior Caregiver Background Screening Entail? Like any background screening, senior caregiver checks are a seamless process. Generally, candidates simply submit their legal name, current address, and Social Security number—and the screening agency will take care of the rest.
Eldercare background screening will look into the candidate’s:
In addition to these items, a comprehensive check will confirm that the applicant is being truthful in their application. If honesty is one of your company’s core values, of course you’d want to hire staff whose own integrity aligns with that. This is why screening your staff is so important.
Screening Caregivers Throughout Texas: 3 Key Benefits To provide truly cutting-edge care, your retirement company or caregiving agency should screen every prospective staff member before making a hiring decision.
Seniors in San Antonio, Dallas, Houston, Austin, Corpus Christi, and other Texas cities deserve the very best. To this end, here are three key benefits of screening your caregivers:
Though retirement communities are home to seniors of varying ability levels, many residents are physically or emotionally vulnerable. Even those who live at home deserve state-of-the-art care.
As such, background screening is paramount. By completing detailed searches on Texas caregivers’ criminal, driving, and employment history, employers can rest assured they are protecting those they serve.
While of course your clients’ well-being is your top priority, chances are you also want to avoid hiring staff who could compromise your reputation. Onboarding someone with a history of theft or lying could result in significant long-term consequences for your organization.
With a screening process in place, you can invest in the very best staff and continue to build rather than smear your integrity. Word-of-mouth is everything here in Texas, and your caregiving agency or retirement community will thrive if you keep that in mind.
A Congressional Budget Office report recently revealed that about one-third of those above the age of 65—and roughly two-thirds of those in their mid-80s or older—need assistance with daily tasks. From eating to transportation, and from prescription pickup to bill-paying, these tasks involve a great deal of trust.
This is where your community or agency can help. Why not deliver the very best in eldercare by using all the tools in your arsenal to hire the very best staff? Seniors deserve to feel safe, comfortable, and cared for. Background screening can make all the difference.
Interested in learning more about Texas eldercare background screening? Contact Redstar Backgrounds for details. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for more information. Wednesday, October 21 2020
 Employers only want to work with staffing agencies they trust. This sense of trust is typically rooted in a thorough background screening process. Wednesday, June 24 2020
 From the C-suite to the factory, manufacturing companies need to hire the right people.
There’s no question your team can’t afford to be understaffed—you still need to operate your facility, even if you’re short a few team members.
And when it comes to quality control, few decisions are more important than those that relate to hiring.
Texas manufacturers understand the need to consistently produce a high-quality product. To achieve this, they need trustworthy, experienced employees by their side.
This is where we come in. Here are five reasons to use Redstar Backgrounds for your manufacturing staffing needs:
Though your company is perfectly capable of hiring qualified personnel, this can be a time-consuming process. It can also be challenging—for those with limited bandwidth—to focus on screening the best applicants.
Fortunately, our team is here to help. We will help you source and onboard the right people. As a result, you’ll significantly lower your risk of hiring unreliable team members, decrease turnover, and ensure a safe and OSHA-certified facility.
Encourage your human resources team to make sure no one slips through the proverbial cracks of the hiring process. By outsourcing your manufacturing staffing needs, your company can rest assured we will screen each and every person you consider bringing on your team.
Our screening guidelines are tailored to each client and designed to meet the unique needs of not only the manufacturing industry, but also your company and the position for which you are hiring. From drug testing to criminal checks, we’ll take care of it all in a safe and FCRA-compliant way.
It can be challenging to hire someone great when you’re simply focused on finding your next hire. Fortunately, our comprehensive solution will help you secure new staff quickly and the right way.
We leave no unturned when it comes to helping manufacturing teams:
From background checks to drug screening, we take care of it all. You’ll have a shortlist of remarkable prospects in front of you in no time.
Turnover is costly. So too is loss of productivity. With Redstar Backgrounds by your side, you can access candidates’ educational and employment backgrounds, references, credentials, and more in a streamlined and timely fashion. This will help you pinpoint red flags like expired licenses and embellished resumes.
Put simply, we’re here to help you source the best possible people. And by doing so, you’ll save money and work more efficiently. It’s a win-win solution.
Just as we’re well-versed in the manufacturing industry, we know Texas like the back of our hand. Our screening company works closely with clients across the state, including in San Antonio, Austin, and Corpus Christi.
With our knowledge of the area, and our manufacturing expertise, you can partner with a business on whom you can depend. Maintaining quality and safety standards, and knowing you’re bringing on exemplary hires, are simply an added bonus.
At Redstar Backgrounds, we help clients make hiring decisions that protect their company and staff, all while fostering a safe and transparent work environment. Please contact us for more information on how we can help your manufacturing company screen and hire the right people. Thursday, May 14 2020
 In the hospitality industry, background checks are essential.
Redstar Backgrounds offers pre-employment screening and background checks for hotels, motels, and other hospitality companies in San Antonio, Austin, Corpus Christi, and the surrounding areas. This article will outline the reasons hotels should conduct background screening.
Why Conduct Hotel Candidate Background Checks? Though many hotel chains and hospitality companies conduct background checks on all their applicants, this practice isn’t yet required by law.
It can, however, save your hotel time and money—and help to safeguard your reputation.
Hotels, after all, grapple with frequent turnover. Employees often move from one location to another, making hiring the right people a near-constant battle.
In an industry where people are paramount, and guest protection is especially vital, hotel managers would do well to invest in background screening. A simple pre-screening solution, in fact, will reduce the risk of negligent hiring lawsuits and poor hiring decisions in general.
So, consider investing in background screening services from a trusted provider like Redstar Backgrounds. We’ll make sure your candidates and staff have top-notch employer references, honest resumes, and that they pass both state and local criminal searches.
Benefits of Pre-Screening Texas Hospitality Workers From your front-desk staff to your housekeepers, hotels must pre-screen their employees. In addition to discouraging untrustworthy applicants from applying in the first place (and helping hotels save on training and turnover), the benefits of hospitality background checks include:
By conducting background checks, hotel managers will have full access to candidates’ credit reports, driving history, and academic transcripts—as well as their criminal record if applicable. This will help the hiring manager gain a detailed understanding of each candidate’s character, history, and past behaviors.
Put simply, this important practice will help strengthen your hotel’s reputation and financial standing, and teach you to make better hiring decisions across the board. Please note that criminal convictions will be reported no matter the timeframe, while non-convictions will appear on the candidate’s record for seven years (unless the individual has had their record expunged).
Background Screening for Hotels in San Antonio, Austin, and Corpus Christi 16.78 million people were employed in the hospitality industry in 2019. Employees at hotels and other lodging companies have job requirements that require the utmost sensitivity and trust.
This is where our background screening services come in. For your peace of mind—before your team members start handling money, entering guests’ rooms, and representing the hotel to others—we urge you to start screening your staff. From verifying applicants’ credentials to checking their criminal history, we’ve got you covered.
The process is easy. During the application process, the candidate will be asked to consent to pre-employment background screening—and we’ll take care of the rest. Any offers you make for a job at your hotel will then be contingent on whether the applicant has passed their check. The candidate may be asked to consent to drug screening as well (both before they’re hired and periodically on the job).
Does this make sense? We hope so, and we invite you to discuss any red flags that come up with the candidate directly. You’ll want to use your discretion, of course, but they just might have a reasonable explanation for their past behavior. Bonus points if they admit to a minor wrongdoing directly, without any prompting.
Ultimately, the idea is to build trust, strengthen your hotel’s reputation, and protect your people. With that, if you’re ready to start investing in background screening at your hotel, simply contact us for details. You can also follow Redstar Backgrounds on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for more information. Wednesday, March 25 2020
 Note: We hope you're well during these difficult times. Here at Redstar Backgrounds, your and your loved ones' health is of the utmost importance to us—now more than ever. And while the blog post below outlines some important matters to consider when business returns to normal, we realize we aren't quite there yet. Per the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization, social distancing remains a top priority, but together, our hope is that we can navigate the pandemic and work toward good health and happiness. Please be well.
Non-profit organizations, schools, and hospitals all rely on volunteers. Some of these Texas entities might not want to trouble those who donate their time for the greater good.
They might not feel comfortable asking their volunteers to complete background checks, let alone drug and alcohol tests.
Yet these simple steps are critical. One volunteer misstep could put your organization’s reputation on the line.
Volunteer background checks—and volunteer drug and alcohol screening—can help mitigate these risks.
Why Conduct Volunteer Background Checks? Non-profits screen their volunteers for a number of reasons.
The 2018 Verified Volunteers Screening Trends & Best Practices Report revealed some of the most common motivations for conducting volunteer background checks:
Clearly, the reasons for completing volunteer background screening are expansive. They go far beyond mitigating risks and keeping problematic people at bay.
Should Texas Volunteers Be Tested for Drug and Alcohol Use? We’ve written previously about how important it is for Texas churches to screen their volunteers. Other non-profits—and really any organization that takes on volunteers—should follow suit.
This screening should include drug testing. Drug tests can easily screen for some of the most commonly-used drugs, including marijuana cocaine, amphetamines, opiates, and PCP. And of course, volunteers can also be screened for alcohol consumption. (You wouldn’t want anyone to drink during their volunteer shift, and alcohol screening can help prevent such a misstep.)
Some key details to consider when screening volunteers for drugs and alcohol:
Above all else, transparency is key. Rather than being deterred from working with you, volunteers will likely be grateful that you are doing your due diligence to protect your community.
Drug and Alcohol Screening for Volunteers in San Antonio, Austin, and Corpus Christi Drug screening and breath alcohol tests have become more important than ever to the background screening process. Redstar Backgrounds can manage Texas organizations’ Random Drug Screening Program with our random selection management software.
Paperless drug screening is another popular option for volunteers. The prospective volunteer can simply walk into a clinic with a chain of custody form and a photo ID, and their sample will be delivered to a drug testing collection site. (Any drug tests that come back positive will be reviewed by a medical review officer, also known as an MRO.)
We can also help non-profits develop a custom screening program based on their desired testing frequency, organizational needs, and number of volunteers.
Interested in learning more about drug and alcohol screening for volunteers? Our solutions are top-notch in the industry, and we’d be happy to walk you through your options. Simply contact us for details. You can also follow Redstar Backgrounds on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for more information. Wednesday, March 11 2020
 A common thread for Texas companies during the hiring process?
Background screening.
Even when a candidate aces their interview, and the employer is ready to move forward, background checks are a vital step. We recommend that companies in Austin, Corpus Christi, San Antonio, and the surrounding area invest in them before onboarding new people to their team.
What Is Background Screening? While it’s natural to assume most applicants are honest people—most of them are—a little screening can go a long way. This is where a background check may come in.
By definition, background screening is a thorough review of an applicant or employee’s criminal, work, and even driving history. It often consists of the following:
Each category is designed to give employers all the information they need on a potential employee to make an informed hiring decision. Employees under consideration for a promotion or reassignment may also be asked to complete a background check.
Why Conduct Pre-Employment Background Checks? We discussed how background checks can help uncover where an applicant might have stretched the truth.
Consider the critically-acclaimed TV show The Office for a minute. You might recall that Dwight, Assistant to the Regional Manager at the fictional Dunder Mifflin Paper Company, often called himself the “Assistant Regional Manager” instead.
Dwight would have been in hot water if he’d put that on his resume. Fortunately, there’s no way this discrepancy would have gone unnoticed during the background screening process.
Regarding some of the other reasons employers should screen their staff, companies may also check applicants’ criminal and financial history. This can help prevent civil liabilities.
Think of it this way: Say an employee drinks on the job and gets injured. If it turns out they were arrested for driving under the influence not long before they were hired, the employer could be held responsible if they’d foregone the background screening process.
As such, background checks help to ensure workplace safety—often by eliminating problematic candidates before they’re hired. Screening may even be mandatory for certain jobs. The National Child Protection Act of 1993, for instance, requires criminal background checks for any position that includes child or elder care.
Background Screening in Texas: 3 Factors to Consider Now that we’ve discussed the importance of background checks, let’s shed some light on three essential considerations.
Background screening vendors should be in compliance with all the relevant federal, state, and local laws involving consumer reporting, privacy, data protection, and more.
They should also have procedures in place, per the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which guarantee the accuracy of the information that comes forth during the screening process. To be FCRA-compliant, applicants must also have the opportunity to dispute the accuracy of their background check results.
Screening companies like Redstar Backgrounds understand how important it is to safeguard candidates’ personal information.
To this end, providers should absolutely have policies in place to obscure the applicant’s social security number and date of birth. In turn, screening vendors must keep a trail of all individuals and companies who have accessed the individual’s personal information.
From flexible pricing to the screening services themselves, customization is a crucial factor for Texas companies that conduct background checks. The vendor you select should be willing to work with you and develop a custom-tailored solution that will help you achieve your hiring goals.
Are you interested in learning more about background screening? Contact Redstar Backgrounds for details. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for more information. Tuesday, February 25 2020
 Consider the following scenario: The owner of a food distribution company is looking to hire a new Vice President. They’re vetting a number of candidates, all of whom have interviewed well and passed their background screening.
The next step is to check the applicants’ references. No matter your industry, reference checks are vital to the hiring process.
What Are Reference Checks? Reference checks occur when a hiring manager contacts the candidate’s previous employers, schools, or other third-party sources to learn more about their qualifications. These checks allow the company to explore the applicant’s employment history, educational background, and character.
These checks can be as simple as confirming the candidate’s job title and dates of employment. They can also be relatively complex, and explore the individual’s skillset and general work performance.
A key part of the screening process, reference checks are also an important part of employment verification. They can be used to confirm truthfulness on a resume or job application, and make sure the applicant’s abilities truly align with the job in question.
Reference Checks in San Antonio, Corpus Christi, and Austin Redstar Backgrounds conducts reference checks on behalf of companies and nonprofit organizations throughout Texas and nationwide. Our expert team can oversee the entire reference check process, and contact your job candidates’ personal and professional references.
Often, reference checks are completed via phone interview. Conversely, digital reference checks allow candidates to submit requests to their contacts online.
Background screening companies like Redstar verify the information references provide and organize the data. The result is a well-organized, simplified hiring process.
We may ask the applicant’s references questions such as:
A combination of general and specific questions—many of them open-ended—will offer deep insights into the candidate’s character and capabilities.
It’s worth noting that Texas law protects employers against defamation lawsuits based on employer references, so long as the employer does not intentionally provide false information. In addition, all information employers release to hiring managers should be factual and non-inflammatory in nature.
Why Should Texas Employers Invest in Reference Checks? If your organization isn’t already checking applicants’ references, we strongly encourage you to start doing so. Companies that invest in reference checks can save time and make better-informed hiring decisions.
Here are three reasons to start reference checking:
Say an applicant nailed their interview, but their cover letter and resume leave something to be desired. Perhaps there are missing dates, discrepancies in their location, or other issues. Reference checks can help clarify information that doesn’t add up.
We all have our strengths and weaknesses. That said, past performance is a great indicator of future performance. Reference checks, in this way, can help employers get a sense of the candidate’s abilities. This can help them determine whether the candidate would be a good fit for the new role.
Hiring managers and recruiters want to fill openings with top-qualified, experienced professionals. By conducting reference checks, employers can eliminate untruthful candidates, get a sense of how well applicants collaborate with others, and glean other essential information.
Are you interested in learning more about conducting reference checks? Please contact us for details. You can also follow Redstar Backgrounds on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for more information and updates. Wednesday, February 12 2020
 Do you work in the transportation industry?
Or, do you employ team members who drive on the job?
If so, you understand that motor vehicle records (MVR) checks are crucial to your success. Texas recruiters who are hiring drivers—or any employee who will be driving on company time—must do their due diligence and invest in MVR checks. In fact, companies operating in industries regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT) must request a new copy of their drivers’ records every year.
What Are Motor Vehicle Records Checks? Motor vehicle records checks are critical to the background screening process. These checks are used to investigate the driving history of an applicant or current employee, and to help employers review other essential information.
Generally, MVR checks disclose whether an individual has:
- Traffic violations - Unpaid parking tickets - Vehicular crimes (including convictions like a DUI) - An extensive motor vehicle accident history
They also include information such as the applicant’s:
- Driver’s license status, class, type, number, and expiration date - Driving history (including any deducted points from the Department of Motor Vehicles) - Driving restrictions (including glasses, hearing aids, and other relevant information) - Special endorsements
If you aren’t familiar with the term “MVR check,” you might still be aware of this type of screening. MVR checks are also known as motor vehicle report checks, motor vehicle reports, driving records checks, and driver’s license verification.
How Do MVR Checks Work in Texas? Redstar Backgrounds conducts MVR checks on behalf of companies, nonprofits, and government agencies throughout Texas. Our goal is to help your organization stay in compliance with the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
At the state level, MVR checks bring organizations transparency so they can make the best possible hiring decisions. They also help to keep track of employees’ driving history over time. Driver’s license records are maintained by the Department of Motor Vehicles in each state.
It’s important to note that since there is no national database—and since Texas companies may hire candidates with licenses from other states—MVR checks are generally completed for the state where the applicant was issued their license. In most U.S. states, driving records date back three to seven years.
Why Do MVR Checks Matter for Employers? Motor vehicle records checks focus on an applicant or employee’s driving activity. However, the benefits of this type of screening go far beyond the open road.
For instance, MVR checks reveal a great deal about the driver’s character. By adhering to basic traffic laws, the candidate shows they have integrity—and that they can follow standard procedures.
In addition, MVR checks are often used to verify the candidate’s identity. Many employers use MVR reports to confirm the applicant’s legal name, date of birth, and other critical details.
Something to consider: If an MVR check comes back with negative results, employers should proceed as they would in the case of a standard criminal records check. This means that before a hiring decision is made, the applicant should be issued a copy of the report and given time to correct any errors.
Ultimately, employers in Texas and nationwide must confirm their team members act responsibly behind the wheel. Motor vehicle records checks are an ideal strategy for doing so.
Are you interested in learning more about MVR checks? These checks are just one piece of the overall background screening process—and we’d be happy to walk you through our full suite of solutions. Simply contact Redstar Backgrounds for details. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for more information. |
