should companies like PIXI FOTO who take childrens photos be forced to check the background of new employees ?

Question

Currently pixi foto do not check the background of any employees, although all there staff work closely with children (any of them could already be a sex offender). There employees are also encouraged to ask for private info of that child inc. names, addresses, siblings etc.

Answer 1

Yes.

I think everyone employed to anything near children should have a background check.

Employees of places like:
-Chuck E. Cheese's, McDonalds, Burger King (any restaurant w/ a playground or arcade)
-children's clothing stores
-photo shops in big stores like Sears and Walmart
-Theme parks
-really anyone who is supposed to have contact w/ children as part of their job should be background checked... not just to see if they've ever done anything wrong... but to have them in the system should they lose their minds and do something horrible to a child, they've already been fingerprinted... I'll bet money there are at least a couple of people each year, who decide not to continue with the interview or application process!

Some of these places may already do it... if they don't they should!!

Answer 2

Well, it's kind of a gray area, really. In most places, an employer asks a prospective employee's permission before conducting a background check, though there is nothing actually stopping them from doing one without your consent -- it's more of a courtesy, though to save themselves the legal heartache, they usually at a minimum have you sign something that says you understand they're going to do one, but not necessarily that you give explicit permission. It may be that your company is doing background checks because of something that has happened recently, and they want to be sure of their workforce. The best thing you can do to prepare for this is to ensure that all your records are in order -- get a free copy of your credit report, and if you don't have a criminal record, you probably don't have anything to worry about. But it's perfectly legal for your employer to do this, and considering how much money it would cost even a small company to do background checks on all their employees, they probably have a good reason for doing so.

Answer 3

i agree with alikat, all people that come into contact with children should be checked, although i recently had my sons photo taken by pixi foto my son is 10 months old i wasn't about to leave him alone and he's never going to be in the house alone or using the phone for at least 14 years so i don't think i have to worry about the photographer who was extremely professional.

i used to work at a photo shop and had the unfortunate experience of seeing photos of child abuse i was physically sick and the police were immediately called and the shop shut we were all questioned the man in question was the childrens (2 girls under 10) father and he was sent to jail and as far as i am aware is still there.

Answer 4

I am suprised that a company like Pixi dont screen their employees, however... the staff never have complete charge of a child, the parents are always present and noone forces a parent to have their child photographed. Its up to the parents to use their own common sense when it comes to their childs security.

Answer 5

I thought it was already law that they did - they work with children after all. But then again they should never be alone with a child so there shouldn't be any danger. I've never worked for a employer who didn't do a criminal record check anyway, and I've never worked with children in any capacity.

Answer 6

I think all employers should check background for sex offenses. Anyone convicted of perverse acts on a minor should be known about and watched. And in areas where there is contact with children they should be prohibited from working, Period.

Answer 7

well they should