Benefits March 22, 2006

Are You Paying for Your Employee's Job Search?

March 22, 2006 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - Twenty-three percent of workers who use a computer at work admit to having searched for a new job using their companies' time and resources, according to a recent Hudson survey.
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Furthermore, three in 10 send and receive personal e-mails at work at least most days, if not every day, and another 28% say they do so occasionally, according to a Hudson press release.

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Most workers reported that their employer knew of their personal computer use. Three-quarters of those surveyed believe their bosses are aware of how much they use the Internet for non-work related activities, and 48% say their companies monitor their computer use, the release said. Of those who believe their Internet use is screened, 74% report that their companies have formal policies regarding e-mail and Web usage.

The study shows that manager supervision seems to be effective at curbing personal computer use on work time. Twenty-one percent of those surveyed who believe their managers know they use the computer for personal reasons admitted to having job searched on company time, while 32% of those who think their manager is unaware reported doing so. Twenty-six percent of workers who believe their Internet use is monitored have looked for new career opportunities while at work.

Kris Rzepkowski, Interactive Manager at Hudson North America, said in the release, “Corporate policies serve their purpose, but employees respond best when those rules are a part of the day-to-day interaction with their supervisors.”

While manager supervision hinders personal computer use by employees, though, the survey revealed that managers themselves admit to committing the same misbehaviors. Twenty-four percent admitted to job hunting at work, and one-third send or receive personal e-mails on the job at least most days.

More information can be found at www.hudson-index.com .

Benefits March 21, 2006

ADP: Job Applicant Background Checks up 12% in 2005

March 21, 2006 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - Although the number of employment background checks performed in 2005 by ADP Employer Services was up 12% over the year, inconsistencies between an applicant's material and the source were down slightly.
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A news release said that ADP’s 2005 Screening Index showed that its Screening and Selection Services unit carried out 4.86 million checks, up from the 4.3 million in 2004 (See ADP: 16% Rise In Use of Background Checks in 2004 ).

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ADP said it found a data inconsistency in education, employment and credential verifications in 49% of the cases in 2005 – down a tick from the 50% found in 2004. The 2004 figure itself represented a 2% drop from 2003, according to the ADP data.

“The consistent rise in the number of background checks performed year after year is evidence of the diligence employers are taking in the recruitment and hiring process,” said Dean Suposs, General Manager of ADP Screening and Selection Services, in the news release.

ADP also reported that in 2005:

  • 5% of the criminal background checks revealed a criminal record in the last seven years.
  • 6% of the data inconsistencies discovered were received with negative remarks about the applicant
  • among the completed driving record checks, 24% had one or more violations or convictions. Five percent had four or more.
  • 46% of the completed credit report checks showed a judgment, lien or bankruptcy, or the employee had been reported to a collection agency.
  • 8% of the workers’ compensation inquiries revealed an existing claim.

For additional Screening Index statistics go here .

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