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Drug testing can make you money said Hire Image. I have said this for years and people usually look at me as if I’ve been smoking something. What they don’t realize is that if they explore the state financial opportunities that exist, they can see a significant return on their money. However, in order to do so, compliance with the state’s rules, including the filing of paperwork, is necessary. Two recent cases, one in Florida and the other in Tennessee, make this evident. Before we get into the details of the two cases, let’s set the stage.

Christine Cunneen is CEO of Hire Image LLC, a nationally accredited company specializing in background screening and drug testing. She is Past Chair of the National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS), holds Advanced FCRA Certification through NAPBS, and held leadership roles on the Global Advisory Council, Government Relations Committee, Advocacy Committee, Finance Committee, and Ethics Committee for NAPBS. She is also a member of the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) at both the national and local levels. Ms. Cunneen has a BBA in accounting, is a CPA, and has been in the HR industry for more than 14 years. She is a frequent speaker at business, human resource and background screening association events throughout the U.S., educating employers and other professionals about background screening and drug testing topics, and is often quoted for her expertise in the news media. She often travels to Washington, DC to meet with legislators and is active in campaigns and advocacy pertaining to laws and regulations that impact the background screening profession, business owners, and small business entrepreneurs.

By Christine Cunneen

The ramifications of social media usage are again in the news. Recent stories of Harvard rescinding an acceptance offer of a student after finding out he had used racial slurs in the past has been permeating social media platforms and mainstream news over the past couple of weeks.

Hire Image | Kyle Kashuv, the student involved, is a survivor of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida. After Harvard admitted Kashuv, who was reportedly second in his high school class, with a 1550 SAT score, it was brought to their attention that he had made repeated derogatory racist comments via text and Google Docs in 2016. Kashuv has stated that the comments were made when he was 16 years old and prior to the school shooting, which was a life-altering experience. He says he was embarrassed by it and the comments are not “indicative of who [he is] or who [he’s] become in the years since.”

Harvard sent a letter to Kashuv and said it “reserve[d] the right to withdraw an offer of admission.” In his response to Harvard, Kashuv apologized “unequivocally” for his previous actions. He also contacted the college’s Office of Diversity Education and Support to “begin a dialogue that [he] hope[d] will be the foundation of future growth.” Harvard responded on June 3rd, rescinding his acceptance.

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Hire Image | With data and security breaches more frequent than ever over recent years, 2018 is the year to focus on security protection, with more effective plans to protect ourselves, our companies, and our customers.

From a small nonprofit to a large corporation–every organization is exposed, in some way, shape, or form, to sensitive personal information that identifies either employees or customers or both.  This “personal identifying information” can include names, Social Security numbers, addresses, credit card information, license information, and account data.  When this data, even something as simple as a name, falls into the wrong hands, trouble will inevitably ensue.  Crime, including identity theft, fraud, and embezzlement, is one repercussion.  Another is the potential damage to your business.  Can it withstand theft of funds or property and/or losing employee and customer trust and loyalty?  No business can afford those risks, especially when they can be minimized with some simple steps.

Here are ten steps to help protect your business:


Create a Data Security Plan. Your plan may include many of the following steps, as well as those more specific to your own business and technology infrastructure.  Assess the vulnerability of any foreseeable attacks, breaches, and issues.  Then, determine the steps necessary to protect yourself in each situation.  Remember these should not be limited to electronic issues and measures only.  Rather, they should encompass basic physical protections, even as simple as locking doors and filing cabinets by Hire Image. 
Take action now. With a plan in place, it is time to take action.  Too many times business owners and managers are overwhelmed with the day-to-day activities of the business that “have to” get done.  They tend to put implementation of policies and procedures on the backburner.  However, every day you wait is another chance for a security breach.  Planning and reacting on paper without having to face the stress of an actual breach makes sense, when emotions are not running wild. From restricting employee access to running anti-spyware programs and securing electronic information in transit over the Internet, don’t leave any stone unturned – even if it’s a basic or obvious protection step.
Conduct background checks. A well-trained and screened workforce is the best defense against identity theft and data breaches. Check references and do background checks before hiring employees and contractors who will have access to sensitive data.  Investigate the background screening company of your choice to ensure that they are accredited by the National Association of Professional Background Screeners.  Such accredited firms will utilize data security practices that meet the highest possible standards.