Fraud Prevention in the Workplace

All over the globe, companies are victims of fraudulent activities everyday in the workplace. Workplace background checks are necessary for companies who want to safeguard corporate assets.

Fraud and crime are not limited to the streets; they are also present in the workplace. Learn how you can prevent fraud, theft and crime in your workplace by following preventive measures.

The scope of workplace fraud is broad. It includes petty thieving, such as employees who would "borrow" paper supplies with no intention of returning or reimbursing them; to heavier crimes such as massive amounts of cash magically disappearing from the company books. It is no wonder that employee background check and employer background check is becoming more and more critical for any business institution.

Although companies cannot detect most of infractions, there are ways to prevent these fraudulent activities in the office. Here are some:

1. Companies with a good screening process usually get efficient, trustworthy workers. Background checks are quite a common practice in every organization. Before finally letting anyone join the company, HR may conduct the following:

• personal background checks
• employment checks
• credit history check
• criminal background check
• employment verification
• previous work verification
• achievement and credential verification
  

Although family background does not say much about the individual itself, it gives the company a general idea on the applicant's upbringing and beliefs. Employment history reveals more: someone who often transfers from job to job could indicate an underlying problem. That's why potential employers should always try to contact the applicant's former employers for history information.

Depending on the position, a poor credit history could be a red flag indicator, especially for an applicant who will hold an administrative position once hired by the company. Most importantly, an applicant with criminal history should raise issues for obvious reasons. These are basic defenses a company can take during the initial stages of employment.

2. Companies with strong internal control reduce opportunities for fraudulent activities. Internal controls such as having dual signatories for cash and high-valued inventoriable item; segregation of incompatible duties; having effective password access controls and placing cameras in strategic company premises would go a long way.

These preventive measures deter both internal and external criminal acts. Unauthorized individuals will have a hard time opening vaults or withdrawing money without the proper access, electronic or otherwise.

3. Companies with high regard for good governance are more likely to experience fewer misdemeanors from their employees. When employees are treated with respect and proper accord, they synergize with the company well and help the company grow.

Companies that deliver promises to employees, customers, and suppliers usually get high regard from the organization and the community, thereby lessening foul intentions against the company.

These are just a few preventive ways to help companies avoid fraudulent acts in their organization. Information, prevention and awareness are the best tools a company can have to ensure a safe, crime and trouble free workplace environment.

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States Push to Expanded Gun Rights, Obama Silent

When United States President Barack Obama swore to office last January 20, 2009, gun control advocates can only rejoice at the prospect of having a staunch supporter to their cause.

Now, they are giving the 1-year incumbent president every failing grade possible.

Gun control advocates say that Mr. Obama has failed to deliver the gun control promises he made during his presidency campaign. Nowhere was the campaign promise that he made to close an exploit that allows dealers sell firearms without federal background checks or criminal background checks. He has been largely nonexistent while several gun right promoters made strong pushes to expanded gun rights.

Gun right promoters have been generally successful in passing measures that have been rejected in the past. Last week in Virginia, the General Assembly approved a bill that would allow people to carry firearms in establishments that serve alcohol. The House of Delegates also abolished the 17-year-old law that prohibits anyone from buying more than one handgun in a month.

Last month, Indiana passed a bill that will thwart private businesses from checking employees if they are keeping firearms in their vehicles on company property.

Last year, Montana and Tennessee passed bills that will exempt their states from the federal laws regarding firearms and ammunition that are manufactured, sold and used in-state.

Arizona and Wyoming are considering the measures that would allow residents to carry concealed weapons without a permit.

Obama also signed bills that will allow firearms in national parks and on Amtrak trains.

There are too many setbacks to gun control measures, that's how the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, a gun control group, interpreted the whole ordeal. Paul Helmke, president of the Brady Campaign said, "We expected a very different picture at this stage".

Last month, the Brady Campaign issued the President a First Year Report Card, which shows Obama failing in every of the group's indicators: Brady Background Checks and Gun Background Check, Gun Show Loophole, Gun Trafficking, Guns in Public, Assault Weapon Ban, Standing Up to the Gun Lobby and Leadership.