How Not To Hire a Walking Lawsuit

Screen out job applicants before they cause you grief

For some employers, aggressive interviewing is simply asking: "How soon can you start?" Employment lawsuits are not abstract concepts. These lawsuits have legs. They walk into your company, apply for a job, get hired, and wait for their opportunity to strike. Often they have a spotty employment history, a poor work ethic, a bad attitude, a more than a few emotional problems.

Because they tend to view themselves as victims, it usually doesn't take long for them to decide they are being mistreated - and then it's off to court. With some skill and effort, however, most employers can spot the walking lawsuits screen them out of the hiring process.

• Do more than just accept resumes
• Interview Aggressively
• Don't Be Afraid to Run a Drug Test
• Check References

If the applicant seems like a walking lawsuit waiting to happen, don't hire him or her, no matter how shorthanded you are.

This article appeared in the June 1, 2009 issue of San Diego News Network.