Unicru and ChoicePoint(r) Expand Partnership to Provide Customized Screening for Chain Drug Store Hiring Workflows
Partnership is the first to offer a progressive pre-employment screening model to address the unique hiring needs of drug stores
PORTLAND, Ore. and ALPHARETTA, Ga. - May 5, 2003 - Unicru, Inc. and ChoicePoint, a leading provider of employment screening services to the drug store industry, today announced the deepening of their strategic alliance to deliver a fully integrated, completely customizable screening process for chain drug store hiring workflows. The two companies have teamed to offer employment screening services through Secure Point, a service of ChoicePoint, directly in Unicru`s Chain Drug Store Workforce Selection and Optimization System to help improve time-to-hire, decrease employee-related theft and better store operations.
According to the National Retail Security Survey, drug stores report above average losses due to shrink and employee theft rates in excess of 40 percent. Dave Cook, vice president for ChoicePoint`s workplace solutions business said, "Working with three of the top four chain drug stores, we`ve learned that to be an industry leader, companies need to quickly and cost-effectively identify the most qualified applicants before they are hired by the competition. Through this partnership, leading drug chains will be able to gain a competitive advantage as this will assist their ability to seamlessly screen and hire applicants, greatly reducing their time to hire."
"We are excited to partner with ChoicePoint to provide chain drug stores for the first time with a powerful, pre-packaged way to focus on workforce quality by mapping background checks to their individual hiring process," said Chris Marsh, Unicru president and CEO. "To more easily stay in compliance with federal guidelines for pharmacy positions and help reduce employee theft and improve store sales, our joint clients are quickly guided to the best candidates - from the pharmacist and photo lab to store management."
Progressive Screening Model
The expanded partnership will help minimize hiring costs and employee-related theft with a progressive screening model approach. The partnership allows drug stores to map Secure Point`s pre-employment screenings to applicants based on the position applied for as well as their place within the hiring process. The Unicru Chain Drug System may be customized to reflect a company`s individual hiring needs, and as such, any or all of the following employment screenings - through Secure Point- may be automatically triggered as an applicant moves through the hiring workflow:
-- Esteem(r): National, contributory theft database that helps reduce employee theft by identifying individuals within this list of legally shareable data on employee and shoplifter theft contributed by members, as well as public record information on theft-related convictions. Esteem also includes job candidate Social Security number verification.
-- ChoicePoint National Criminal File: A comprehensive file search, which includes over 77 million criminal conviction records from multiple criminal record sources.
-- Health & Human Services List of Excluded Individuals: Ideal for pharmacy-related positions, this is a Department of Health & Human Services medical database which lists convictions for program-related fraud, patient abuse and related actions.
-- County Criminal Check: Checks for job applicants with criminal backgrounds within any identified county.
How Does It Work
With the Unicru Chain Drug Store System, job candidates simply complete an electronic, paperless application using an on-site computer or other Internet connection. The application includes custom-designed assessment questions unique to the chain drug store environment. Upon completion, each applicant`s response is immediately transmitted to Unicru`s secure database where the information is processed and evaluated against criteria derived from previous successful employees. While the application is processed and assessments are scored, a ChoicePoint Esteem check is performed and the results are reported back usually within minutes. The development costs associated with interfacing one or more screening products is included as part of the Unicru Workforce Selection and Optimization System for Chain Drug Stores; clients will continue to pay their background check provider`s individual fees. This is the first of several industry-focused, progressive screening models that Unicru and ChoicePoint plan to offer.
The hiring manager can use a Web desktop to review pre-hire and Esteem check summaries as well as an easy-to-read completed application form and a candidate report recommending follow-up interview questions. With the Unicru hiring workflow, hiring managers will only consider interviewing applicants that have passed this initial phase of the hiring process. And, following the interview or offer, additional background check services - from ChoicePoint- can be automatically triggered from the Web desktop, depending upon the position applied for and the company`s individual hiring workflow.
About ChoicePoint
ChoicePoint (NYSE: CPS) is the leading provider of identification and credential verification services for making smarter decisions in a world challenged by increased risks. Serving the needs of business, government, non-profit organizations and individuals, ChoicePoint works to create a safer and more secure society through the responsible use of information while ensuring the protection of personal privacy. For more information, visit the company`s Web site at www.choicepoint.com.
About Unicru
Unicru is the leading provider of Workforce Selection and Optimization solutions that enable enterprises to efficiently attract and systematically select world-class employees. Through its comprehensive Web-based service, Unicru evaluates over six million job applicants a year for their prospective productivity, reliability, and job fit. Unicru combines scientifically-proven employee selection assessments, applicant recruitment, hiring management decision support, and complete data capture for measurement and continuous improvement of business results for over 60 enterprises and brands including CVS, Albertsons, Bennigan`s, Universal Studios, Blockbuster, Marriott, Kroger, and Southeastern Freightlines. For more information, visit the company`s Web site at www.unicru.com.
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(c) 2003 ChoicePoint Asset Company. All rights reserved. Secure Point is a service mark, Esteem is a registered service mark and ChoicePoint is a registered trademark of ChoicePoint Asset Company.
CONTACT:
Kim Beasley
503/596-3409
kbeasley@unicru.com
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