Making the Turn at Cape Horn:
(December 7, 2016; Day 30, 22:23 UTC) – Thomas Coville (FRA) and his 31m maxi trimaran Sodebo Ultim’ is negotiating the decreasing winds as he makes the turn at Cape Horn in his attempt to break the solo round the world record. His latest 24 hour run of 434.3 nm increases his margin to 1865.88 nm (+31 nm) ahead of the current record of 57d 13h 34m 6s set by Francis Joyon (FRA) on the 29.8m trimaran IDEC in January 2008. Full report.
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Full Article: Scuttlebutt Sailing News – Making the Turn at Cape Horn, Editor
Vendée Globe: A Time For Prudence:
(December 7, 2016; Day 32) – The Vendée Globe leading duo Armel Le Cléac’h (Banque Populaire VIII) and Briton Alex Thomson (Hugo Boss) are leaving a trail of heartbreak in their wake, with the latest retirement being third placed Sébastien Josse (Edmond de Rothschild) announced this morning.
Josse’s withdrawal was the second to be announced within 18 hours and came immediately after news of the successful evacuation of French skipper Ki…
Full Article: Scuttlebutt Sailing News – Vendée Globe: A Time For Prudence, Editor
While employers and recruiters tend to be rigorous about checking a candidates employment history, they often take academic credentials at face value. A recent New York City case is a reminder that a degree is not always what it seems.
On May 26, 2010 the website of the NY City Hall Examiner reported on a project manager who had joined the city Sanitation Department. As discovered by a city-mandated employment background check, the photocopied degree submitted by this individual was from a university hed never attended. The individual was suspended without pay and is now facing criminal charges related to possession of a forged instrument and offering a false instrument for filing.
There is a thriving trade in pseudo-documentation. Websites proudly advertise realistic diplomas, authentic-looking transcripts and even fake GED certificates. While this case involved someone falsely presenting himself as the graduate of a legitimate university, employers must also be alert for alleged degrees granted by imaginary institutions. The internet is fertile ground for diploma mills and other services that provide quick degrees in exchange for quick cash. Where some individuals may be unabashedly inflating their profile for a competitive market, others, feeling confident of abilities they have acquired outside academic institutions, might consider formal certification a technicality to be addressed. At least one instant degree purveyor tells potential customers that, by requesting a degree, they are making a legal declaration of already having the experience for which it will be awarded.
Regardless of motive, the issue of questionable credentials is prevalent enough that several federal agencies have teamed up to urge education verification, publicizing tell-tale signs of a bogus degree on the Federal Trade Commission website. Employers are advised to look out for quickie degrees, sound-alike school names, out-of-sequence degrees, and degrees claimed from schools in locations different from the applicants job or home at that time. These flags do not always indicate a bogus degree, however they are a signal to not accept the credential at face value.
The FTC strongly advises potential employers to check academic credentials even if they sound credible, verifying both the legitimacy of the institution and the applicants matriculation. The risks are significant. A person might end up in a position with responsibilities he or she is unqualified to perform, putting other people and property in danger and exposing the company to liability. In addition, a person who is comfortable with this kind of deception may have other traits that make for a less-than-desirable employee.
The simplest way for a company to reduce the risk of liability and embarrassment is, as in the NY Sanitation Department case, to perform a thorough background check that includes education verification. The most cost and time effective approach is to hire a reputable, dependable background checking company to perform this verification. Screening services have quick access to accurate, responsive sources and are staffed with professionals who have the training and experience required.
Bogus degrees are on the rise, and with them, the risk in neglecting to verify academic credentials.
Sterling is the leading global provider of background checks and employment screening services. We offer a comprehensive portfolio screening services to meet every need, including criminal background checks, I-9 certification in the U.S. and verification of education or employment history.
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