Airport Security Guard accused of threatening Barack Obama passed background checks

According to a newsday article, a Newark airport security workers was arrested for allegedly making a shoot threat against President Barack Obama. He had been working for the security firm for six years, and had passed the mandatory FBI and 10 year employment background check.  The article goes on to suggest that the background check wasn’t enough, and that the employer should have conducted psychological tests on the candidate.  However, they conceded, “It’s very hard to know what people are actually thinking”  The arrested security guard was apparently overhead making threats against the President on a coffee break the day before the President was going to fly into Newark.

Recurring Background Screening
Usually a background check is a good indicator of future behavior, especially with regard to to anti-social behavior such as criminal activity or civil lack of fiduciary responsibility.  Sometimes an employee can come onto a job with a clean record.  However, as time goes on, your employee’s situation may change.  Its important to consider conducting additional background screening for your current employees, including those up for promotion.  Most trucking firms are required to evaluate driving records over time, as their driver’s driving habits may change.  It is worth considering what sort of background check might be worthwhile for your firm to re-screen employees.    Make sure you follow the requirements of the FCRA, and obtain permission from your employees to run background checks.