Nebraska Prison System to Revamp Background Check Procedure In Wake of Hiring Snafu

Nebraska will be re-examining its background check process for hiring personnel at its correctional facilities after an individual from the Czech Republic, sought by Interpol on drug and fraud accusations, was found to be employed at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution.

Michael Preclik had been working at the prison for a little over a year before the state had discovered his shady background. Enter his name into Google and up comes an Interpol wanted poster from the Czech Republic.

Robert Houston who serves as Director for the Department of Correctional Services said that Google searches might possibly be included as apart of the new background check process being considered for implementation.

It’s smart of Nebraska to want to consider revamping its background check process in light of this embarrassing episode, but may want to utilize more legitimate methods for beefing up protocol. Google may be good at finding just about everything under the sun, but relying on it to verify the qualifications for important state positions may not be the best option.

If Nebraska really wants to get serious about shoring up its background screening process, the state should employ the professional services of a dedicated background screening company. Using Google or social networking for background checks could subject you to legal action should you find misinformation or even missing information about your candidates.

Bozeman Montana Wants Your Passwords

If you want to apply for a job working for The City of Bozeman, Montana, be prepared. You'll have to list your login information and passwords for any social network websites on which you are a member.

The job application includes a standard background check, searching for criminal history, employment & education verifications as well as driving records. It also states:

"Please list any and all, current personal or business websites, web pages or memberships on any internet-based chat rooms, social clubs or forums, to include, but not limited to: Facebook, Google, Yahoo, YouTube.com, MySpace, etc."

Bozeman City Attorney, Greg Sullivan, was quoted as saying, "...We do those types of investigations to make sure the people that we hire have the highest moral character and are a good fit for the City."

While employers are encouraged to conduct thorough background checks utilizing social networking sites to screen applicants is normally not advised. Employers can find themselves in legal liability because many sites reveal a job applicant's race, gender, religion, sexual preference and age - all items that are not legal to take into account during the hiring process.

In Article 2, Section 10 of the Montana Constitution, it says "the right of individual privacy is essential to the well-being of a free society and shall not be infringed without the showing of a compelling state interest."

Would you apply for a job with Bozeman, Montana or do you think they are limiting their number of applicants because of this issue?