Home: Message List - Finding honest and trustworthy employees

Re: Finding honest and trustworthy employees

Lighthouse24 — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 18:53:09 GMT

As already noted, background investigations are very useful, as are some psychological testing instruments (although you probably won't do enough long-time hiring to make it worth investing in those).

The most reliable predictor of future performance is past performance in a similar situation (93 percent accurate, according to some studies). During the interview, ask what are called "behavior description" questions. For instance, if you want to predict honesty and trustworthiness, you might say, "Tell me about a time when it would have been easy to steal something and not get caught" or "Talk about a time when someone trusted you and you let them down." Give the candidate plenty of time to come up with examples (even if it means sitting in silence for 15 seconds), and then ask probing follow-up questions to learn the feelings and thought processes that the person went through, the lessons that were learned, etc. All of us are faced with temptation, and all of us have fallen short of expectations at some time or another -- whether or not a person can own up to that fact, and what he or she says about that experience will reveal a lot more of the "real" person than "traditional" interview questions will.

As another example, I always ask our customer service candidates this one: "Good service means different things to different people. Thinking back over your experience with customers, what were some of the differences you saw in the type of service that people expected from you?" Candidates are rarely prepared for a question like that, so I don't get "rehearsed" responses. Yet anyone who has actually served customers can talk about that one for a half-hour -- and what they say tells me all I need to know about their attitudes regarding service. You can do the same with questions about any behavior you're looking for.

Hope that helps some. Good luck.

Re: Finding honest and trustworthy employees

JVCruz — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 15:29:18 GMT

Just an opinion:

There is no guaranteed way of finding and keeping a trustworthy, honest employee - even with all the checks (i.e. background, credit, references). Once you've done all the checks, the face to face or final interview may give you a better "feel" of the individual applying. A probationary period of 30 to 90 days would also let you see how this individual will suite your needs and whether this individual is trustworthy enough to stay on. Open communication, definite policies in place, job description and requirements, and other factors will assist in defining the nature of the relationship between business and employee.

Best of Luck.

Re: Finding honest and trustworthy employees

Howard — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 15:14:44 GMT

i like the suggestion of background checks. Super idea. You never know these days. I think I saw a background checking company listed on this website somewhere??? I may look into it today. I have to go to the store in a few minutes. If I had the extra help I could be playing tennis this Sunday.

Re: Finding honest and trustworthy employees

LUCKIEST — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 20:18:02 GMT

Finding honest and trustworthy employees.

Good question. Do you trust your wife?? WHY

The same is true with employees


	< • >

Employers should be doing background and reference checks on all
potential employees since many resume writers "write good fiction."
Many firms have begun the use of assessment screening to gain entry
into the areas that cannot be obtained from the application and
interview process.
Hiring smart is only the first step in dealing with issues of honesty and dependability.
It is vital to create a caring and nurturing environment. Research
suggests that one of the most effective theft deterrents is to treat
employees well by providing them with an encouraging, nurturing
environment.

LUCKIEST

Re: Finding honest and trustworthy employees

Consultme911 — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 20:13:11 GMT

I suggest you use staffing agencies.

Re: Finding honest and trustworthy employees

Iwrite — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 19:26:19 GMT

I managed fast food for a long time. I found that removing the opportunity is the best way to insure honesty. People are generally good but over time the temptation can get to be too much.

Procedures and good hiring can reduce the chances greatly.

Good luck.

Re: Finding honest and trustworthy employees

Howard — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:52:23 GMT

this is all very helpful! thank you. I especially like the idea of ensuring my procedures in the store are designed to prevent any potential for dishonest behavior.

Re: Finding honest and trustworthy employees

Iwrite — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 16:36:16 GMT

Check with some of the local religious organizations and see if they may know of someone in need of employment.

Another important but sometimes overlooked part of the trust issue is your procedures and policies. If you have a clear policy that you do not stray from and a procedure that reduces opportunity for temptation like:

A schedule for dropping all large bills into a time-locked safe that only management can open
Only keeping a small amount of money in the register at any time
Very seldom opening the safe in the late night hours
Keeping runs to the bank irregular

This along with background checks will help with the trust issues.

I hope they help.

Re: Finding honest and trustworthy employees

caffeinated — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 14:07:34 GMT

Howard,

Welcome to the community! Its great to see someone ask for something other than money. I'd first turn to see if your friends and family could recommend someone.

Check out this member's story too about background checks.
http://smallbusinessonlinecommunity.banko
famerica.com/docs/DOC-2036

Best of luck!

-caffeinated

Finding honest and trustworthy employees

Howard — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 13:54:20 GMT

I own a small convenience store that has been family run for 5 years. We're in a financially solid position now and ready to hire my first employee. We've been working non-stop around the clock, with even our kids chipping in after school. I'm looking forward to hiring my first employee as this will free up our time. My wife and I have been going back and forth on this....as she's concerned about trust related issues. How do I find a trustworthy, honest employee to help run our family business?