The following is a brief introduction to our services and answers to frequently asked questions. Please contact TSG by Email, fax, or phone for additional information. We only provide pre-employment screening services to businesses only. We specialize in working with Human Resources and Security Departments.

1. Why pre-screen?
2. How do we do it?
3. Is it legal?
4. How long does it take?
5. What does it cost?
6. Does my firm risk alienating applicants?
7. What's involved in setting up a screening program?
8. What if my company needs the info right away?
9. Why should a firm outsource this service?
10. Why Use TSG?

1. Why pre-screen?
Employers have become painfully aware of the tremendous consequences of bad hiring decisions. Pre-screening promotes a safe and profitable workplace. Pre-employment screening is an effective risk management tool that has been proven to significantly reduce the risk of a bad hire. Employers typically engage in pre-employment screening for four reasons:

1. To discourage applicants with something to hide--just having a pre-screening program discourages job applicants with a criminal background or falsified credentials.
2. To eliminate uncertainty in the hiring process--many employers have discovered the hard way that relying on instinct alone is not enough. Hard information is also an important part of the hiring process.
3. To demonstrate Due Diligence--all employers have a reasonable duty of care in the hiring process. That means an employer must take reasonable steps to determine whether an employee is fit for a particular job. For example, an employer who hires a bus driver and does not take reasonable efforts to determine if the bus driver has a criminal record, could be found liable if that driver assaults a passenger, and a reasonable background check would have discovered the prior assaults.
4. To encourage honesty in the application and interview process--Employers find that just having a background program will encourage applicants to be more forthcoming about their history.

Performing background screenings is certainly not a guarantee that every bad applicant will be discovered. For the prices charged by pre-screening firms, employers cannot expect an in-depth and exhaustive FBI type investigation. However, just engaging in screening program demonstrates due diligence and provides an employer with a great deal of legal protection.

It is also important to understand that a pre-screening program is aimed at how a person has performed in the public aspect of their lives. Items such as a criminal records or previous job performance reflects how a person behaved towards others, or discharged their obligations or responsibilities. Screening is NOT an invasion of privacy, a sign of mistrust or an act of "Big Brother."

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2. How we do it?
Our program is integrated seamlessly in the hiring process. After receiving your applicant's written consent, ESR searches numerous public and private records, and contacts schools, licensing authorities and previous employers.

TSG is also available for consultations with our clients on background screening issues.

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3. Is it legal?
All TSG procedures comply fully with applicable legal standards. We also handle all the legally required procedures for employers, such as providing applicants with copies of reports and notices of consumer rights. By using TSG, employers legally protect themselves, and ensure that the rights of their applicants are being respected.

As an additional service, TSG will provide an applicant with the appropriate notices of adverse action required by the FCRA when requested to do so by an employer.

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4. How long does it take?
TSG reports are normally provided in three working days in an easy to use written format. TSG is not an information broker that simply provides raw data or computer printouts. TSG reports highlight and summarize important information.

In a situation where information is delayed for reasons beyond our control, such as the time it takes for a court clerk to pull a court record, our clients will be contacted and advised of the cause of delay. Because TSG Clients are never left just hanging.

At the end of the third full business day, TSG suggests an employer check the status of an order. If any item is incomplete, check the reason and determine if there is enough information to make the hiring decision. There are five (5) reasons why information is not available. However, there may be enough information to make the hiring decision. The reasons can include:

1. Criminal records can be delayed if the court clerk needs to obtain a file. No one has control over how long a court clerk takes to provide information.
2. An employer will not return calls despite repeated attempts or a past employer cannot be located, has no records, has moved or is no longer in business. TSG will make solid attempts to contact an employer. TSG has found that after three attempts, it is unlikely an employer will respond.
3. School records where the school is closed or on break, verification can only be done by mail, or a check is required.
4. Driving licenses in some states are subject to delays.
5. The date of birth is required to obtain or verify some information has not been provided. TSG will contact you when that occurs

In addition, orders are processed faster when all information necessary is provided in a legible manner.

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5. What does it cost?
A background screening by TSG is typically less than the cost of a new employee on just the first day of employment. TSG's full services packages are priced at $50.00 to $110.00. An employer may also order just those searches that they need, such as a three county criminal search. TSG charges $25.00 per county searches. That is minor compared to the damages a bad hire can cause.

• NOTES FOR SPECIAL SITUATIONS AND GOVERNMENTAL FEES:
• Prices for court record searches do not include any special access fees charged by some courts. Outside of California, a special disbursement fee may be charged by a state for motor vehicle records.
• Prices do not include fees charged by some employers, schools, institutions, data services (such as the "Work Number for Everyone"), or governmental agencies. For non-automated third party fees, such as employment or educational verifications, TSG's cost also includes a handling fee. Governmental third party fees for court records or motor vehicle records are passed along at the exact cost imposed by the governmental unit.
• For an applicant with a previous name or name change, a separate search fee will apply.
• In counties with multiple Municipal or Superior courts, the price quoted is for the central court. Misdemeanor court records not available in all states.
• Retrieval of physical court records is not included. Contact TSG to make arrangements for court files.
• In case of cancellation prior to report preparation, TSG will only charge for expenses incurred.

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6. Does my firm risk alienating applicants?
The procedure is non-intrusive and respects your applicant's privacy rights. Good applicants are also anxious to work with qualified co-workers in a safe workplace.

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7. What's involved in setting up a screening program?
As part of the hiring process, your applicant signs two release forms we provide. Simply fax the two forms to TSG with an order form. If the order includes verifying education or professional credentials, or employment references, fax the application or resume as well. An TSG consultant will work with you at your offices to set-up a screening program that meets your needs.

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8. What if our company needs the information right away?
In the case of a rush hire, an expedited report service is available, often that same day. On our standard service, verbal reports are also available as soon as TSG has obtained the necessary information.

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9. Why should a firm outsource this service?
Pre-employment screening is a time consuming and detailed task that requires highly specialized knowledge and resources. It is also subject to numerous legal regulations. Many firms have found that it is an inefficient use of their time and resources to attempt to perform a service that a specialist can do efficiently and cost-effectively.

Even firms with fully staffed Human Resources or Security departments have found that outsourcing this service is more efficient and allows them to focus on tasks that can only be performed inside the company. Many HR and Security professionals also prefer that a new employee's first contact with their department not be a background check. Also, outsourcing this service does not leave a new employee feeling that confidential information about them is being obtained by others in the firm.

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10. Why use TSG?

TSG is like having your own in-house screening specialists. We make it easy to protect your firm. We specialize in background screenings. TSG combines human resources, legal and public records searching expertise in providing your company with fast, accurate and cost-effective employment pre-screening. We understand that companies need a program that fits seamlessly into their hiring practices. Our focus is in working with Human Resources and Security Departments. Unlike other firms, TSG is not just a data gathering service providing computer printouts or raw data. Our reports highlight and summarize our findings for easy reference. We look for "red flags" that may concern an employer. We provide human resources policy notes where applicable based upon industry standards. Because the applicants we screen may become your trusted employees, the process is designed to respect applicant privacy.


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