PLEASE NOTE: The Hire Authority is conducting business throughout the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) crisis. Our internal office is staffed with both owners and essential personnel and we also have remote staff workers, so our product (employment screening background checks) will continue without interruption.
—  Phil Sharkey, PBSA, LPDAM, The Hire Authority, Inc.
(508) 230 5901 psharkey@hireauth.com / www.hireauth.com

A recent article in The New York Times, “I Don’t Want to Go Back: Many Teachers Are Fearful and Angry Over Pressure to Return” states: “With many teachers reluctant to return to work, according to polls, staffing will be a major challenge for districts across the country.” Reasons cited by teachers not wanting to come back to the classroom are “crucial questions about how schools will stay clean, keep students physically distanced and prevent further spread of the virus have not been answered.”

A July article in Education Week also states reasons for teachers not returning:
•  More than one in three educators say they have a physical condition associated with a higher risk of suffering serious illness from the virus
•  Nearly a quarter of educators say they would not return to their school buildings
if they reopen without social distancing measures
•  12 percent of teachers say the pandemic may lead them to leave the profession even though they were not planning to do so before the crisis

A School Staffing Dilemma
This situation presents a dilemma to school hiring staff who must attain qualified teachers within a very short span of time. When it comes to those who will be teaching and in charge of our children for many hours a day, the need for professional employee background screening is of the utmost importance. Not to mention maintenance staff, volunteers/temporary workers, coaches, security staff, custodians, bus drivers, school administrators, vendors, contractors, and others who should be closely screened as well.

Present Screening Procedures May Not Be Sufficient
The state requirements for employee background screening may not be enough, which is, for teachers and school employees, a one-time criminal background check (although crimes committed in another state won’t show up), and a search of school/education records, employment records, military records, and credit reports.

BUT, while a criminal check will turn up any conviction for child abuse or neglect, other reports of child abuse or neglect will not show up. Reports of child abuse and neglect are made to the Department of Children and Families and these reports are called “51A reports.” 51A reports do not show up on a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI). Being that approximately 10 percent of students will be victims of educator sexual abuse, it is important to do a further, more thorough employee background check.

USA Today found that U.S. schools failed with regard to teacher background checks. The publication graded the states on their performance and found that only 13 of the fifty states received an A or B. In New England alone, Massachusetts and New Hampshire received F grades. Connecticut received a D. Only Vermont received an A. The states were graded on four criteria: Background Checks, Transparency, Mandatory Reporting Laws, and Sharing Misconduct Information.

In Massachusetts USA Today reported:
•  Background Checks—State screening system needs improvement
•  Transparency—No information online about teacher disciplinary actions
•  Mandatory reporting laws—Strong mandatory reporting of teacher misconduct
•  Sharing misconduct information—Some teachers’ misconduct not shared with
other states

What to Do?
A professional employee background check should include:
•  International or at least U.S. criminal checks to discover criminal convictions in other states/countries
•  Search of school/education records and credentials, employment history and
work performance, military records, and credit reports
•  References check; ask about complaints or allegations
•  Motor vehicle reports, especially for school bus drivers or anyone who will be
transporting students.
•  Ongoing checks to make sure that new arrests while employed don’t slip through the  cracks

A professional firm will conduct a thorough screening that is appropriate for your school and make sure that nothing slips through the cracks. It will also be knowledgeable about the laws that are involved about screening employees and will protect you from potential lawsuits that could result from breaking these laws.

Why Choose The Hire Authority for Employee Background Screening?

It’s important that employee background checks be done by a professional, experienced, and expert team that’s aware of laws with regard to pre- and post-employment checks. The Hire Authority makes sure to keep up to date with all recent legislation and regulation. We are thorough in our screening, and provide current and relevant information. We care about your security and those you are responsible for.

We’d be happy to talk to you about your school. Call us at (508) 230-5901 or visit our website www.hireauth.com with any questions you may have.

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