HAPPY WORK ENVIRONMENT = HAPPY NEW YEAR

By Michael Cormier

Here we go again. Another year, another opportunity.

Another opportunity to grow our businesses, to increase our bottom lines, to set and exceed goals. It’s the time of year that we think in terms of New Year’s resolutions—promises we make to better ourselves.

So why not consider this New Year’s resolution for your company: bring on a new team member, one that can help make the workplace a better environment and increase your bottom line at the same time.

Seem like a pipe dream? Well, it isn’t. Because that’s what hiring a reputable background investigation firm like Hire Authority (www.hireauth.com; 508-230-5901) is all about: increased profit through harmony in the workplace.

Yeah, I know: Kumbaya and all that. Well, consider this. We spend a third of our lives or more in work pursuits. That means most of us spend a third of our lives in the company of, or communicating with, co-workers. Even in this age of telecommuting and job-sharing, we still have to work with others within our own company to a great extent.

Hiring the wrong individual for a particular position can be disastrous. To begin with, there is the obvious problem of mistakes and slow production caused by incompetence. Depending on that particular employee’s function, the problem can have a domino effect, impacting other workers both vertically and horizontally.

Over time, the problem can lead to resentment and lost pride in the company. And when morale dips, so does productivity. It spreads like a virus throughout the company.

Personality clashes are a big problem, too, causing distraction and resentment. Deliberate negative actions by that bad hire, like sexual harassment and personal attacks, are even more devastating.

All these problems can—and do—cause lost profits for a variety of reasons and on a variety of levels. There’s the obvious cost of lost time and productivity in that particular position. Then there’s the cost of finding and hiring a replacement. But it doesn’t end there. Poor overall productivity, legal headaches and harm to the company’s reputation can affect your bottom line long after that bad employee is gone.

And all this heartbreak can be avoided.

The goal of a top-notch background investigation firm like Hire Authority is to help you avoid bad hiring decisions in the first place. There are many ways to flesh out an employee’s background and it all starts with a few key questions, such as:

• Is this candidate really who she says she is?
• Does she have real chops, or is she fudging it?
• Has the candidate shown a propensity for negative behavior in past employment?
• Does she have a bad reputation within the community in general?
• Is there any information in her overall background that raises red flags?

A good background investigation firm is equipped to check out a candidate as thoroughly as your company needs—without running afoul of state and federal laws. Thus the candidate’s identity is confirmed, and her education and training and other accomplishments are verified and fleshed out. Any criminal background will be dredged up, as well as non-criminal activity that speaks negatively about her. Even credit checks and driving records can tell something about how well this candidate will fit in. Finally, standard drug testing might be called for.

Of course, not every candidate has to be investigated as thoroughly; after all, some positions are less sensitive and/or vital than others. Yet even a streamlined background check is important. The end result is a hiring decision based on the best information available, and the confidence that you’ve placed a candidate who fits in with your company’s personality and drive to excel.

So this year, resolve to partner up with an outstanding background investigation firm that has your bottom line in mind. Contact Hire Authority today at www.hireauth.com; 508-230-5901, and let them help your company achieve its happiest New Year ever.

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