On Monday, April 18, 2016, Brian Chapman, CEO of MBI Worldwide, was featured on That Business Show with Jamie Meloni (Channel 1250 WHNZ). MBI Worldwide is a global employment screening company, accredited with the National Association of Professional Background Screeners. MBI Worldwide has been in business since 1998 and has grown into a trusted, national brand for both large and small organizations. The increase of job growth in Tampa inspired MBI to move its Headquarters to 200 Central Ave. St. Petersburg in May 2015.
MBI Worldwide utilizes thousands of databases to collect data. Jamie asked if MBI Worldwide uses the same information as online websites that advertise “people-searches”. Brian Chapman explained several issues with those databases, and that one central “FBI database” does not exist in the private sector. Searching multiple databases is a way to accurately verify that the research is accurate, and the job candidate is properly matched. As a compliant Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA), MBI Worldwide only uses guidelines that are within FCRA compliance to industry standards. MBI Worldwide verifies that all of that information is accurate prior to releasing that data to the employer. This is the only way it does not affect the consumer negatively.
FINGERPRINTING
Many believe that fingerprinting is the most accurate method of searching criminal records and activity on an individual. Brian Chapman explains the following issues involving fingerprinting:
- The fingerprinting technology itself is often outdated. If an applicant was arrested but NOT convicted of a crime, the arrest fingerprinting records remain on the FBI database and the FBI does not clean it out.
- It is possible 10 years later that the arrested individual might find a new job, and that arrest will come up even if they were not convicted of the crime. Ultimately, it will negatively affect the job applicant and their career.
- MBI Worldwide’s team is trained to properly research and check the criminal data to ensure proof of conviction before releasing its results.
- Through new technology and new network set-ups paired with rapid industry growth, MBI Worldwide has developed a much better system in accessing criminal information on job applicants.
THE TRANSPORTATION NETWORK BILL
Brian Chapman also discusses the topic of ridesharing and states that companies such as Uber and Lyft are doing a great job going above and beyond taxi or transportation system standards. Uber itself is one of the largest users of background checks in the world. They are not only conducting proper and compliant background checks, but they are also re-screening its drivers each year to ensure maximum safety for their customers.
Brian continues to explain that taxi systems are heavily relying on fingerprinting. This can be an issue when taxi drivers have emigrated to the U.S. from another country. With fingerprinting, we are unable to know their criminal history in previous countries. Conversely, Uber completes international searches. MBI Worldwide offers international background checks and receive results within 5 days.
There is a great deal of sensitive information given and entrusted to each organization during the hiring process, which is why MBI Worldwide maintains a high level of safety and efficiency. As previously discussed, this is advantageous for both companies as well as consumers; companies obtain accurate information and consumers do not suffer from misleading or outdated information.
Visit their website or listen to the full interview with Jamie Meloni here.
