Potential disaster with new hire?

[BSDeality]

I'm currently waiting on my Workman's comp to go through. In the process a collegue of mine mentioned his son who is 18 was looking for work. I interviewed him about 2 weeks ago and he seemed like he was interested in the job. He was born/raised in the south but transplanted to my town so he might actually have a decent work ethic. He has called me a couple times to check up and see how the WC application is going. so that looks good for him too.

Now things may change. I mentioned this potential hire to a friend of mine who knows almost kid in town. He said the name sounded familiar, and would ask around to see what anyone knew about him. Evidently this kid is an outcast, and allegedly raped a couple young girls. I do not know if there are charges, or if these are allegations, rumors, etc. I want to believe that it is just a rumor, but I need to get down to the bottom of this. How do I go about it? His father is a very well respected lawyer (so if there was legal charges it could easily have disappeared), a great collegue of mine who I see at least once a week, and also helped me form my legal status as a business. I have already agreed on a starting wage and hours verbally with him. I have to get some answers that are more than just speculation, but how? I work around schools quite frequently and I cannot have that potential predator walking around with my name. but then again, what if its just a rumor?

[topsites]

First, you should be able to check criminal records down at the courthouse as I believe they are also a matter of public record?
You might want to call first, see what the deal is.

It's a bit of a long shot but I've done it before and you can't be 100 percent sure of what comes up, but try typing his first and last name into Google and click Search, see what comes up. No results is good results but whatever comes up (including nothing) is no 100 percent guarantee of anything either. Use at your own discretion, it is but an indicator, one more thing to keep in mind for future reference.

[BSDeality]

There is nothing on google about it. I have to be very careful about asking him because I don't want to look prejudiced against him for something that may just be speculation.

An aquaintence of mine was just laid off too and I'd much rather hire him instead if he's interested.

[topsites]

There is nothing on google about it. I have to be very careful about asking him because I don't want to look prejudiced against him for something that may just be speculation.

An aquaintence of mine was just laid off too and I'd much rather hire him instead if he's interested.

I didn't understand which one would you rather hire you say, the acquaintance or the guy?

To me it's a bit of a no brainer, criminal records aside and all I see it thusly:

If the answer is the acquaintance, then hire him and sorry but you found someone with better qualifications.
If the answer is the guy, then hire the guy and tell your acquaintance that you currently have no job openings.

Ohhh wait, you agreed on hours / wage... But did you go beyond that? If not, oh well...

[newz7151]

I guess you could require a criminal background check. Say that since you work in close proximity (sp?) to schools that you are required to have that information.

[BSDeality]

I would rather hire the later mentioned friend of a friend. I just want to make sure I keep it legal in terms of saying I've basically hired him, told him he would be working around 25-30hrs/wk part time. If this violates some hiring/firing practice I'm sure I would catch crap from his lawyer father.

I've recently been thinking about my business/operation and have some major thinking to do. This spring I was swamped which is why I was looking to hire, now I'm considering changing the direction of the business. For now I have the kid in a holding pattern while I get my application for Workmans Comp finalized.

[bcg]

I think it's pretty sorry to tell the kid he's got the job only to hire someone else instead unless you know for a fact that he did indeed commit these alleged rapes.

For all you know, he's turned down some other opportunity because he had told you he'd work for you.

A man's word should mean something. If this is the way you run your business and treat people, I promise that it will come back to haunt you at some point in the future.

[StBalor]

Just tell him it's summer time, getting hot and dry and you do not have the work you thought you were gonna have for him.
Lost some accounts, whatever. If you don't want to hire him, then don't.

[BSDeality]

I think it's pretty sorry to tell the kid he's got the job only to hire someone else instead unless you know for a fact that he did indeed commit these alleged rapes.

For all you know, he's turned down some other opportunity because he had told you he'd work for you.

A man's word should mean something. If this is the way you run your business and treat people, I promise that it will come back to haunt you at some point in the future.I do try to be a man of my word, however these are pretty serious allegations, which if true could have horrible impact on my business. I would like to perhaps re-interview him and ask him some questions I forgot to ask the first time and see if I can fish for an answer.

I forgot to ask about his driving record for one thing, so I would like to know the outcome of that, perhaps I could ask if he has even been arrested or charged with a felony. is that a legal question to hire a interviewee?

[davevg]

If he is indeed a "sexual predator" you should be able to find him in the Sex Offenders database. http://www.sor.state.ct.us/pls/sor/wsor$offender.startup?Z_CHK=0 or http://www.ct.gov/dps/cwp/view.asp?a=2157&Q=294472

[MMLawn]

Dude, he's 18 and you are only 23 so you are close enough to the same age that I think he will understand if you just ask the cat if it is true.

[dcondon]

Dude, he's 18 and you are only 23 so you are close enough to the same age that I think he will understand if you just ask the cat if it is true.

Ya, Just ask him and see what he says. WHY NOT:hammerhead: Just tell him the stories you have heard.:cool2:

[Freddy_Kruger]

Don't hire a crook much less a potential rapist talk about bad publicity or the potential for it.

Don't hire smoker either.

Either find out how to do a criminal record check or ferget about it.

[Freddy_Kruger]

I would rather hire the later mentioned friend of a friend. I just want to make sure I keep it legal in terms of saying I've basically hired him, told him he would be working around 25-30hrs/wk part time. If this violates some hiring/firing practice I'm sure I would catch crap from his lawyer father.

I've recently been thinking about my business/operation and have some major thinking to do. This spring I was swamped which is why I was looking to hire, now I'm considering changing the direction of the business. For now I have the kid in a holding pattern while I get my application for Workmans Comp finalized.
Here in canada you can fire an employee for any reason without notice or compensation of any kind in the first 3 months.

[Brendan Smith]

Don't hire smoker either.



where is that coming from?

[Freddy_Kruger]

where is that coming from?
Non smokers are more reliable and work better (on average) and there is no chance they will try sneaking a smoke on a customers property.

I can't count the number of times these temp help guys will start a smoke in my truck 3 min. later we are at the next property and they say can I finish it. NO!

Pretty soon I won't even allow smoking in my truck.

[Brendan Smith]

Non smokers are more reliable and work better (on average) and there is no chance they will try sneaking a smoke on a customers property.

I can't count the number of times these temp help guys will start a smoke in my truck 3 min. later we are at the next property and they say can I finish it. NO!

Pretty soon I won't even allow smoking in my truck.
i can understand no smoking in the truck, but reliable and work better? i smoke 2 packs a day, before you start about all the health crap, believe me i know. i also know that i can work circles around most people, because most people, especially the temp-type guys are lazy idiots who can't hold a regular job. lazy is lazy, tobacco user or not. i do smoke while working (as in while mowing, line trimming, etc. and NEVER stop moving), and when done, i roll the cherry off of the end and pocket the filter. obviously there can be areas which are unsafe to smoke in and common sense has to be used, but if the issue is smoke breaks, it is simply a reflection on the caliber of people you are hiring. you don't need to take a break in order to have a cig.

also, if a customer was to ask me to abstain from smoking while on their property, i would out of common consideration, but in all the years i have done side work prior to starting my business, the issue has never come up.

[bcg]

I do try to be a man of my word, however these are pretty serious allegations, which if true could have horrible impact on my business. I would like to perhaps re-interview him and ask him some questions I forgot to ask the first time and see if I can fish for an answer.

I forgot to ask about his driving record for one thing, so I would like to know the outcome of that, perhaps I could ask if he has even been arrested or charged with a felony. is that a legal question to hire a interviewee?

You can ask if he's been convicted of a crime but not if he's been charged. Remember that in America we're innocent until proven guilty, not the other way around.

At this point they are just allegations though. You need to find out for yourself if there is any truth to them. Call the DA and see if there is a pending case (it's public record), hire a PI to do a background check or mention that you've heard these allegations and gauge the response, without actually asking the question.

Don't make a snap judgement on someone because of a rumor. Find out what the facts are before you make your decision, don't just screw the kid because you heard from someone that knows someone that this kid did something bad.

I agree that if he actually did what you've heard he did you shouldn't hire him. If he did it, he should be in jail. I find it hard to believe that he actually did it and the victims told enough people that everyone knows but he isn't in jail or facing charges though.

[drmiller100]

hmm. do you want him to mow lawns, or inspect girl's underwear?????

it isn't your job to punish him. If he isn't in jail, then he is eitehr NOT GUILTY, or has paid his dues.

[MMLawn]

You can ask if he's been convicted of a crime but not if he's been charged. .


This statement is simply NOT CORRECT.....not even close. You certainly CAN ask him if he has been charged with a crime, now or at any point ever in his life even. Charges alone are public records........think about it the news tells every single night about people who have only been "charged" with a crime. I assure you that you can ask with no legal ramifactions at all, and I was a Cop for 20 years.

[Lawn Masters]

two words. background check. if he raped anyone, he'll have to be registered as a sex offender, and there will be something on record. whether his dad is a lawyer or not, it'll be on record somehow.

[MMLawn]

two words. background check. if he raped anyone, he'll have to be registered as a sex offender.


That is ONLY if he has already been to trial and been convicted and at 18 years old I doubt that is the case yet, cause if he is convicted of rape he'll dang sure get active time, so if it is true he was charged I doubt he has been tried yet.

[BSDeality]

he would have been a minor at the time, which could be sealed. I have decided I am going to remain solo for this time. I was recently quoted WC and 25% on top of hourly rate is a little steep IMO. Maybe in the fall when I go bonkers with fall cleanups. but for now I'll just do it the way Iv'e been doing it for the last couple of years.

[mbell3333]

You are under no legal obligation to hire this guy regardless of what you told him. You can change your mind. Maybe instead of hiring help, you should raise your rates a little and be more selective of the jobs you take. That way, no worker's comp needed, etc. This way, you can tell him you have decided to do things differently and just go from there. Also, from a business standpoint, although he is indeed legally innocent until proven otherwise, the reality is that if people in your town "think" he is guilty, this will reflect on your business.
MB

[BSDeality]

OK, here is the final say on the matter. I talked with some people who knew about the charges last night. They are indeed true charges, not he-said she-said rumors. They've removed him from their "organization" as well. I've told him for now WC was too pricey (excuse) and would not be needing him because of the summer slow-down.

As for rates. I'm naming my prices on jobs, I land about 35-45% of bids I've been giving this year for the any-schmuck-can-do-this work. On the skilled work bids I've been getting top dollar and I'm very comfortable with the rates. I've really learned how to sell my education to customers, and it pays very well.

[Dirty Water]

Non smokers are more reliable and work better (on average) and there is no chance they will try sneaking a smoke on a customers property.

I can't count the number of times these temp help guys will start a smoke in my truck 3 min. later we are at the next property and they say can I finish it. NO!

Pretty soon I won't even allow smoking in my truck.

I'm also a smoker, though I don't smoke during the work hours.

I work circles around your average temp worker.

Perhaps you should stop hiring temps?