Pre-Employment Screening: Guard Screening Firm Offers Employee Database

"Guardscreen comes in to meet a need the state can’t," asserts the Metuchen, NJ firm’s president, Fern Abbott. She refers to lengthy waits – up to 6 months – for reports back from the state on guard applicants’ criminal records. Her 3 year old company is developing a database of guards – by name, social security number, and past employment so prospective employers can quickly receive and compare Guardscreen’s profiles to candidates’ application forms. Discrepancies would signal a need to investigate further.

Guardscreen gets its information from member agencies which are asked to provide a list of current and former employees over the past three years. Companies must register all applicants, regardless of whether they’re hired or profiled by Guardscreen and send in termination forms for every guard who leaves the company, to keep the database current.

Applicants’ names and social security numbers are entered in the database to produce a profile of previous employment, allowing comparison with applications forms. Guard agencies can check dates of employment and reasons for leaving. "If something is left out, that person won’t be someone you want to hire," Abbott says.

Free trial period. This and other red flags can save employers the cost and effort of sending out fingerprints and conducting further background checks and interviews. "We’re trying to protect companies from undesirables and help legitimate people looking for jobs," Abbott says. Cost: under $10/profile. A free trial period is available for employers to see how the profiles look, Abbott states.

In one potential client, O.C.S. Group, Clifton, NJ, Gary R. Fox, Senior Vice President, notes: "The most difficult hurdle is accumulating a database that’s of value to clientele. That will happen as companies buy into the service." He adds, "it’s a way of clearing candidates quicker to make up for the bureaucracy of state agencies." He also says the industry recognizes the need to co-operate more in sharing such information. "I recommend companies start the trial program. That will help build the database."