May 2022 Summaries

There are currently 2 million people in U.S. prisons, giving the nation the title of the world's leader in incarceration, with each year seeing over 640,000 people leave prison seeking to become contributing members of society. However, they often face an uphill battle due to their criminal history and are overlooked for job opportunities. To address this issue, Checkr aims to educate the business community on the benefits of fair chance hiring, which has been proven to reduce recidivism rates and create economic growth by giving system-impacted individuals a fair opportunity to be employed. Fair chance hiring is built on the premise that everyone, regardless of their background, has the right to be fairly assessed for a role in which they are qualified, opening up a wider talent pool and leading to higher retention rates and better business outcomes. By employing people with criminal histories, companies not only help to create a more open and welcoming workforce but also contribute to reducing recidivism rates and creating economic growth, as shown by the nearly half reduction in recidivism rates for individuals with conviction histories who have full-time employment compared to those who are unemployed.

Checkr, a company providing pre-employment drug testing services, explains that CBD products do not show up on standard workplace drug tests as they screen only for THC, a psychoactive compound found in cannabis plants. However, some CBD products may contain trace amounts of THC due to contamination or manufacturing processes. The presence of THC in these products can lead to positive test results, although the likelihood depends on various factors such as product type and individual consumption habits. Full-spectrum CBD products are more likely to contain THC than CBD isolate products, which have been processed to remove all cannabis plant compounds. Urine testing is the most common method used for employee drug screening, and THC can be detectable in urine for up to 30+ days depending on frequency of use. While false positives are possible, they are rare.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to unprecedented employee turnover rates, with many employees leaving their jobs due to burnout and seeking new opportunities that align with their passions. Employee retention is crucial for small businesses, as it can be costly to recruit and hire new employees, and losing experienced staff can harm a team's overall efficacy. To increase employee retention, businesses can focus on hiring effective employees from the start by promoting diverse hiring practices, writing detailed job descriptions, and performing background checks. They can also equip their teams with effective retail management technology that limits administrative tasks, such as streamlined point of sale systems. Additionally, creating processes to limit customer conflict, offering workplace philanthropy opportunities, and encouraging employee feedback are key strategies for improving employee satisfaction and retention. By implementing these strategies, businesses can create a positive work environment that attracts and retains top talent.

Checkr, Inc., the leading HR technology company powering the future of work, has added Michele O’Connor, chief accounting officer at Veeva Systems, to its Board of Directors. Michele O’Connor brings significant experience in growing a private company into a successful public software company, and her passion for helping job seekers access work aligns with Checkr's mission. As a seasoned finance professional, she has led the growth of Veeva's finance department from three to over 120 people and played a key role in the company's IPO process. O’Connor is excited to join Checkr and further its mission of unlocking employment opportunities through technology, and her diverse background and expertise will undoubtedly be valuable assets to the company's Board of Directors.

Effective volunteer recruitment requires a clear and streamlined strategy, leveraging technology to automate tasks, emphasizing the benefits of volunteering, allowing current volunteers to share their experiences, and sharing volunteer grant opportunities. By prioritizing these key areas, organizations can attract and retain passionate volunteers who will make a meaningful difference in supporting their cause.

The prevalence of pre-employment drug testing varies across industries, with only a small percentage of US job postings mentioning required testing in 2019. Companies are increasingly requiring employees to comply with testing policies due to rising workforce positivity rates. Drug tests determine whether prospective employees use illicit substances or medications inappropriately and can be conducted through various methods, including urine, hair, oral fluid, breath alcohol, and blood testing. While pre-employment screening is rarely a blanket requirement, it's often restricted to safety-sensitive positions or government roles where public endangerment risks are high. The use of pre-employment drug testing is regulated by federal laws, such as the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act and Executive Order 12564, which prohibit the use of illegal drugs by federal employees and transportation workers. Certain industries, including government, healthcare, transportation, construction, aerospace, education, IT, and private security, are more likely to conduct pre-employment screening.

Checkr has partnered with several companies to simplify hiring and onboard dedicated employees with speed and fairness. These partnerships enable seamless integrations between various hiring solutions, allowing HR teams to manage multiple tools in one place, save critical time, and focus on optimizing the candidate experience. The new partners include FreshTeam, GoCo, Ashby, Pinpoint, Comeet, Sithon, and Kwant, each bringing their unique strengths to provide a more comprehensive solution for hiring and onboarding. With Checkr's robust partner network, businesses can access background checks in a central location, reducing tedious tasks and improving the overall hiring process.