Ongoing Employee Screening: A Necessity for Child Safety

By Ashley Mazerolle, Marketing –

Ongoing employee screening is vital to protect children, with new laws proposed for stricter monitoring in child-related workplaces.

When it comes to hiring employees, companies take several steps to ensure they are hiring trustworthy individuals. Background checks and random drug tests are common practices used to screen candidates for past offenses or questionable behavior. These checks, along with professional reference calls, help employers determine if a person is fit for the job. Typically, if everything looks good, the person is hired, and the employer can feel confident that they’ve chosen a responsible employee.

But what happens when someone who passed all these checks engages in harmful behavior, especially towards children?

The Potential for People to “Snap”

News stories have repeatedly shown how easily people can “snap” and commit terrible acts. While routine checks can screen out problematic individuals initially, they may not be enough to prevent future crimes. When employees who work with children commit offenses, it begs the question: Shouldn’t we be doing more to monitor and investigate employees continuously to protect vulnerable individuals like children?

This issue has recently gained attention due to incidents involving Disney employees. According to a Huffington Post report, since 2006, at least 35 Disney employees in Florida have been arrested for sex crimes involving children. Of these, 32 have been convicted. These employees worked in various positions, from ride repair managers to security guards, and even gift shop workers.

The Failures of Current Screening Methods

Disney claims to use thorough screening and monitoring processes to hire employees. However, the arrests show that these methods are not foolproof. Children were harmed despite the company’s efforts, raising concerns about whether the current employee screening practices are enough to protect minors.

One barrier to better monitoring is the Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA), enacted in 1988, which prevents private companies from requiring employees to take lie detector tests. While there are some exceptions for law enforcement and government employees, most companies, including those working with children, cannot use this tool.

The Need for New Laws

In response to these alarming cases, U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross is advocating for an exemption to the EPPA for businesses that work with children. He suggests allowing more frequent screening methods like polygraphs, voice stress analyzers, and psychological tests. While some argue these methods could violate employee rights, the safety of children should be the top priority.

We must carefully weigh civil liberties against the need to protect the most vulnerable members of society from harm in the workplace.

Photo by: Cody Board