| With the recent corporate scandals of Enron and | | | | extensive background checks. Many of them feel |
| WorldCom, the popularity and necessity of | | | | as if their network of peers is enough to get the |
| executive background checks has greatly | | | | information they need and may neglect to further |
| increased. In order to protect themselves from | | | | investigate a potential employee. The Wall Street |
| potential disasters later on, many companies are | | | | Journal suggests that many top-level hiring |
| now requiring extensive investigation on | | | | managers may ignore the reference list provided |
| prospective executives to verify their | | | | by the would-be-executive to utilize their own |
| employment and educational history as well as | | | | connections in their past companies. |
| information regarding any past wrongdoings. | | | | Whatever the reasoning behind conducting |
| As with any other type of pre-employment | | | | background checks, employers need to be aware |
| background investigations, employers need to | | | | of the Federal and State laws regarding such |
| have the appropriate disclosures available. | | | | investigations. Most reputable investigation firms |
| According to Federal law and the Fair Credit | | | | adhere strictly to these guidelines. Using one of |
| Reporting Act, applicants must sign and date | | | | the top firms can save headaches in the future |
| specific disclosures regarding the various types of | | | | while being sure that the information is fair, |
| background checks employers desire. It is | | | | accurate and thorough. The employers |
| important to respect the privacy of potential | | | | themselves, however, can obtain some |
| employees while maintaining the company's hiring | | | | information. Educational references can be verified |
| standards. | | | | by contacting the academic institution, work and |
| Although executive-level background checks are | | | | salary history can be obtained by contacting |
| becoming increasingly more popular, there may still | | | | former employers, and character references can |
| be some hesitation as to how far to take them. | | | | often be sought by contacting various people who |
| Many high-level executives seem to think of their | | | | know the prospective employee. Regardless of |
| atmosphere as more of a society, or | | | | the method used, it is certainly in the company's |
| 'country-club' feel. They may not feel comfortable | | | | best interest to know who is working for them. |
| about performing checks on executives and in | | | | In the case of top-level management, an |
| many cases, do not feel it is necessary. Human | | | | executive background check is necessary and |
| Resource managers in the executive level seem | | | | vital to the ongoing success of the establishment. |
| to also have some hesitations to conducting | | | | |