A couple of weeks ago, Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) did a promotional and training program for the Phoenix area on their signature "IMAGE" program. IMAGE is a public/private partnership in which employers upgrade their screening systems beyond a simple 'send the name and SSN to E-Verify', and ICE provides the employer quite advanced training in document preparation and, most significantly, ID verification, which is central to our applicant screening program. Kind of pointless, we figure, to run a background check on an individual without first establishing his identity.
We at CBN joined the program right after its 'prototype' stage, and are not only a charter member but are still one of only two janitorial firms in the nation that's joined the partnership. We find it a great benefit in both the practical aspects of insuring a legitimate workforce, and in guaranteeing the same to our clients.
You would think, in a state as focused on illegal immigration as Arizona, and in an industry like janitorial with a reputation for corner cutting in employment issues, that more local firms in my industry would use programs like IMAGE to tighten up their operations and improve their - well - image. But, in the rather large crowd the other day, I don't believe I saw any other janitorial providers. Go figure.
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