The new diving coach at Indiana University (IU) who arrives with credentials that include six Atlantic Coast Conference titles at Duke University and four Olympic medals as coach of the 2012 U.S. team in London also has a bachelor’s degree in physical education from an alleged “diploma mill” that issues fake degrees in the mail for money, the Indianapolis Star reports. The article is available at http://indy.st/11VfYuj. Read More…

Governor Mark Dayton of Minnesota has signed into law Senate File 523 (SF 523) that will eliminate the checkmark box asking about criminal history on most job applications and limit private sector employers in the state from asking about criminal records of job applicants until an interview or a conditional job offer. The new law extends the “Ban the Box” provision that currently exists in public employment to private employers. For more information about SF 523 – which will take effect on January 1, 2014 – visit https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=SF0523&ssn=0&y=2013. Read More…

A new California privacy case underscores the need for employers to respect the privacy of job applicants and maintain confidentially, regardless of whether information is shared in written form or in conversation. Although the case did not involve background checks, it concerned discussion of an employee’s personal medical condition with co-workers. The case is Ignat vs. YUM! Brands, Inc. filed March 18, 2013 for the California Fourth Appellate District. Read More…

A “Ban the Box” bill approved by the Minnesota House – SF 523 – would prevent private employers in the state from asking about the criminal history of job applicants until an interview or a conditional job offer. The bill has now been presented to Governor Mark Dayton for his signature, according to a report from the Star Tribune available at http://www.startribune.com/politics/statelocal/206699841.html. Read More…

Attorney and safe hiring expert Lester Rosen, Founder and CEO of Employment Screening Resources® (ESR), will discuss background checks during two sessions at the 2013 Gulf Coast Symposium on Human Resource Issues on Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at the Reliant Center in Houston, Texas. Rosen’s first session will focus on international background checks while his second session will reveal the top background check trends for 2013. For more information about the 2013 Gulf Coast Symposium on Human Resource Issues, visit http://www.hrhouston.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=235. Read More…