We've all done it.  Allowed strangers into our homes to perform cleaning services, child care, appliance repair, or perhaps troubleshoot a faulty Internet connection.  But do you realize - even by using the most reputable companies - you could be inviting a thief, rapist or convicted felon into your home?  Or even a murderer?

 

In early 2001, Sue Weaver unknowingly did just that.  She arranged for air duct cleaning service from a leading department store chain in Florida and never thought twice when the nice gentlemen came to her home to complete the work.  Six months later, one of the men returned after carefully plotting his crime.  He raped and brutally beat Sue to death before setting her home on fire. Turns out he was a registered sex offender and twice convicted felon - information that could have been discovered had a search been done.

 

Sue Weaver did not die in vain.  Her sister, Lucia Bone, established the Sue Weaver C.A.U.S.E., a national nonprofit organization based in Texas whose mission is to promote Consumer Awareness of Unsafe Service Employment (C.A.U.S.E.).  Her goal is to make criminal background checks required on all workers sent to peoples' homes.

 

Hire Image CEO Christine Cunneen was an early supporter of the C.A.U.S.E. Certification program (see article below for more information) started by Lucia, and was instrumental in developing the standards used in C.A.U.S.E. certified searches.  She encourages businesses to become C.A.U.S.E. Certified and recently met with the EEOC and lawmakers in Washington, DC and locally to help educate them about what constitutes a thorough background check.

 

"It starts with both lawmakers and employers understanding not only the need for a background check, but what constitutes a thorough check," states Cunneen.  "Many businesses have a policy which requires they only screen before hiring, but it's important to screen annually because an employee can commit a crime after they are hired.  In fact, as Lucia Bone will attest, criminals often use their employment to find their next victim."

 

At issue is the need for education, better human resource policies, and laws that protect businesses and the public at large. "The problem is that legislators pass laws for teachers and home health care workers and child care providers, for example, but are making decisions about an industry they don't know or understand," Ms. Bone comments.  "They pass legislation recommending FBI checks yet the FBI admits  (read more)

 

Annual criminal background checks are required on all employees, contractors and subcontractors before becoming C.A.U.S.E. Certified. Those companies participating in C.A.U.S.E. Certification will verify they are not sending known criminals into clients' homes.  Businesses will screen using Sue Weaver C.A.U.S.E. guidelines and background screeners will adhere to certain rigid standards and criteria as set forth by the organization.

 

Andrew Prescott, Esq., a partner with the law firm of Nixon Peabody in Providence, RI., was introduced to the Sue Weaver C.A.U.S.E. organization by Hire Image CEO Christine Cunneen.  For several years, he has provided pro-bono legal advice regarding the legal issues associated with the contractual arrangements between service providers and the background screening companies such as Hire Image who perform background checks. 

 

"We drafted the contracts to set up the rules with regard to service provider and background screener participation so at the end of the day the consumer knows when an individual has been certified that it really carries with it a substantial indicator of safety and reliability," explains Mr. Prescott.  "Certification does not dictate whether a service company can employ a person or not, but stipulates that a person with certain disqualifying offenses cannot be employed in a service-providing position. Ultimately the hiring decisions are for the company to make, but they agree not to employ persons with those types of offenses in service positions."

 

Prescott adds, "Nixon Peabody is excited to be able to assist such a worthwhile organization at a critical stage in its development.  We hope that it will make consumers safer when they purchase services from companies."

 

For more information on C.A.U.S.E. Certification please call 877-450-5812 or email certification@sueweavercause.org.

 

Click here for Hire Image's C.A.U.S.E. certified screening package. 

Hire Image LLC is a specialist in the field of background investigation services. Our priority is supporting organizations by providing timely background investigations, thus enabling clients to make well-informed hiring and/or retention decisions. We work with companies nationwide, from small businesses to large corporations, to ensure they hire the "right" people and avoid the high costs of employee turnover and new position searches. Our clients are best served through our exceptional support system and customized reporting, which is tailored specifically to meet their needs. By considering ourselves a partner with each client, our success is based upon their success.