Employee Spotlight:
Jamie Doak, Proprietary Database Support
 Building and maintaining positive relationships with our customers is the cornerstone of our success at USIS. Jamie Doak, Proprietary Database Support, has worked every day for 14 years to support transportation customers with any questions or needs they may have with USIS’ proprietary database products, such as DAC Online and the DAC Employment History File (EHF).
Doak’s primary responsibility is acting as the go-between for USIS and the customers by collecting termination records from companies contributing to the EHF. Doak answers calls daily from customers inquiring about everything from termination record codes to clarification about employee records.
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USIS Offers the 2006 MVR Book and Decoder Digest
Highly recommended for better understanding MVRs, the 2006 MVR Book and Decoder Digest are comprehensive reference books intended for professionals using driver history and motor vehicle records. Each year, state motor vehicle departments make numerous changes that affect the employment screening and insurance industries. For example, states update and add to their violation codes, modify their fee structures and revise restrictions of the release of driver information. These books provide valuable information about each state’s records so you can make more informed decisions. read more
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Announces New Background Check Requirements for Hazmat Drivers Located in Canada or Mexico
On August 10, 2006, drivers licensed in Canada and Mexico who commercially transport hazardous materials have been required to undergo a background check under the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection's Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program before transporting placarded amounts of hazardous materials in the United States.
The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) requires that commercial drivers licensed in Canada or Mexico may not transport hazmat, including explosives, within the U.S. unless they have undergone a background check similar to that required for U.S. operators with a hazmat endorsement. TSA has determined that the FAST card, issued by the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, satisfies the vetting standard requirements as set forth under SAFETEA-LU for commercial vehicle operators registered to operate in Mexico or Canada. Information on the application process for FAST driver cards may be found on the CBP web site at www.cbp.gov.
ATA and Arkansas Trucking Association File Workers’ Compensation Brief
Highly recommended for better understanding MVRs, the 2006 MVR Book and Decoder Digest are comprehensive reference books intended for professionals using driver history and motor vehicle records. Each year, state motor vehicle departments make numerous changes that affect the employment screening and insurance industries. For example, states update and add to their violation codes, modify their fee structures and revise restrictions of the release of driver information. These books provide valuable information about each state’s records so you can make more informed decisions. read more
USIS Launches New Web site for Supervisor Training
USIS invites you to visit our new web site, http://stsfirst.com/usisindex.asap, to explore our education options for both supervisors and employees. You will find our innovative web-based training course, “A Supervisor’s Guide to Reasonable Suspicion Testing,” is an effective, cost-efficient way to train supervisors.
With USIS’ online training, managers have an alternative to a live training session which can be conducted at their convenience. By using the tools in this training, businesses could avoid on-the-job accidents and lawsuits. Supervisors will learn about the impact and symptoms of the five DOT-required drugs, alcohol use in the workplace, and how to confront an employee about suspected abuse. Additionally, USIS’ training complies with federal regulations under 49 CFR 382.603, meets the DOT audit requirement for physical certificate of compliance, and features knowledge testing to confirm completion.
To purchase a login license from USIS and for more information, call 800-288-8504 ext. 3244 or email Korena.varejcka@usis.com.
Adam Walsh Act highlights importance of checking sex offender status
USIS offers Guardian™ national sex offender search product
On July 27, 2006, President George W. Bush signed H.R. 4472, the new national sex offender law commonly referred to as the Adam Walsh Act. The legislation was enacted to protect children from sexual exploitation and violent crime, prevent child abuse and child pornography and promote Internet safety. Among other components of the act is a requirement for the Department of Justice to design, create and maintain a new public national sex offender registry.
Although the Department of Justice has three years to establish its registry, USIS, a leader in pre-employment screening, drug testing, and insurance services, currently offers USIS Guardian™, a national sex offender search product, which is a cost-effective solution that an employer can use to screen for potential sex offenders. read more
University of North Carolina May Start Requiring Student Background Checks
Raleigh, North Carolina senator Neal Hunt recently proposed a state bill requiring fingerprinting and criminal background checks for all students prior to enrollment in any of the state’s 16 public universities, beginning in the fall of 2007.
The bill was prompted by two murder cases at UNC-Wilmington in 2004, both involving suspects with violent histories that were concealed on their entrance applications. The suspects and victims were all students at the university.
Universities rarely conduct criminal background checks on perspective students. However, UNC has amended its application process and now asks specific criminal history questions on the admission application. In addition to the criminal background questions, UNC also analyzes applications for gaps in an applicant’s educational history. If a red flag appears, the university will then run a criminal background check.
Support of the bill is divided. Concerned parents may have more peace of mind knowing that students are screened prior to admission, but general counsel for the university cites that criminal checks may be costly and may not reveal much information because records on juveniles under the age of 16 are sealed.
To date, the bill has yet to be voted upon.
We hope you love our new look
The USIS web ordering site was updated in August 2006. The way you input information to order and view reports has not changed. However, we did change the colors and layout, and added a few enhancements that should simplify navigation of the site. As always, please use the SUPPORT link on any of the pages to send our Customer Satisfaction team an email if you have questions regarding the changes.
We want to hear from you!
As a valued USIS customer, your feedback regarding the products and customer service we provide is important. The survey takes about 20 minutes to complete, and in exchange for completing the survey, you will have the opportunity to enter your name into a drawing for an Apple iPod. To access the survey, click here.
Thank you for your time and valuable feedback!
Company Closings
USIS and Affiliates will be closed November 23 and 24 in observance of Thanksgiving and December 25 for the holiday season.
Trade Show Schedule
USIS will be participating in a variety of trade shows in the next couple of months. Please click here to take a look at the list.
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