‘TIS THE SEASON

By Michael Cormier

Ah, the holidays! ‘Tis the season for giving. Unfortunately, ‘tis also the season for taking.

It’s no surprise that theft is rampant during the holidays. For shoplifters the opportunity is never better. The stores are crowded, which means security has its hands full. And there are tons of inventory on the floor just begging to be whisked away!

Yet the rise in crime around the holidays isn’t limited to just the sticky-finger variety. Not in this age of sophisticated crime. Credit card fraud, internet scams, piracy, knockoffs—it’s all around us.

And what better place to ply one’s shadowy skills than as an employee of a retail establishment?

Just like shoplifting, internal theft and fraud are prevalent this time of year. Which is why every company hiring for the holidays should have a reliable background investigation firm like Hire Authority (www.hireauth.com; 508-230-5901) on board.

Retailers have no choice but to beef up their personnel during the holiday season. Hiring of seasonal help starts in the early fall and continues through November into December and January. It’s a rush season for Human Resources, just as much as it’s a rush season for shoppers.

Because of time constraints, the goal is to get as many people aboard with the least delay possible. Thus HR may look for only the minimum abilities needed for the job. On a certain level this makes sense. After all, most of these employees will only be around for a few months.

But think about the flipside: An employee who knows he is only seasonal is less likely to develop company loyalty than a person trying to establish a career. Pay and benefits are often minimal at this level, which can also limit loyalty. Add to this the same opportunistic chaos favored by shoplifters, and you have the potential for trouble.

Now, this is not to disparage seasonal employees in general; most are just hardworking people trying to get a little extra cash around the holidays. But reality is reality. Some will be tempted to take advantage of their inside position. In fact, some may seek temporary employment this time of year specifically for that purpose. The result: goods slipping out the back door, theft of customers’ credit card information, and a whole lot of other problems.

That’s why it’s so important to conduct background checks at the holidays, using a reputable background investigation firm like Hire Authority (www.hireauth.com; 508-230-5901). Even a fast, streamlined check can smoke out candidates with a penchant for fraud and theft, potentially saving your company thousands in lost inventory, lost good will and legal costs.

So Call Hire Authority today. Let them help you find out who’s naughty or nice.

The foregoing should not be construed as legal advice. Employers should always consult their own legal counsel for advice on labor and employment matters.

Happy Holidays from The Hire Authority!