Randstad Doesn't Hire Illegals, Official Said

Posted: Dec 6, 2007 08:49 PM PST


NASHVILLE, Tenn. - There is new information in the NewsChannel 5 Investigation that uncovered illegal immigrants working inside one of Middle Tennessee's largest employers.

The workers are using fake documents to get hired at the Electrolux plant in Robertson County.

Anchor/reporter Scott Arnold's undercover investigation revealed exactly how the undocumented immigrants were hired.

It all starts at Randstad, a staffing agency that hires workers for Electrolux.

Arnold sat down with the operations and general counsel from Randstad, who said applicants try to get jobs with fake documents.

But, he claimed, few people beat their system.

The issue has been an open secret in Springfield.

"I think a lot of employers are hiring illegal immigrants," said Springfield City Manager Paul Nutting.

He said he believes the Electrolux plant is the biggest offender.

"You notice that there has been some change in their hiring practices," he said. "It's very obvious to everybody."

Some Electrolux employees said they noticed the change.

"Ninety five percent of them are Hispanics," said an employee.

"Why take jobs away from American people, that are begging for a job, and bring in a different culture to our country?", he asked.

How can this happen?

The hidden camera investigation revealed some answers.

Randstad initially hires the workers for Electrolux inside a trailer on plant property. Illegal immigrants said they can get a job there, even with fake identification.

Is Randstad turning a blind eye to the problem?

"We have talked to a number of people who say they have brought in fake documents, you guys know that they are fake, and you hire them anyway?" Arnold said to a Randstad employee.

The woman declined comment, but a company official said "unequivocally ... Randstad and Electrolux do not hire illegal aliens."

Steve Whitehead, operations and general counsel for Randstad, watched undercover footage.

He said the staffing agency turns away most Hispanic applicants because of fake documents.

"There have been times when somebody is working at the plant, and somebody has presented legitimate appearing documentation, and we later learn that they are not who say they are," he said. "When we find those situations, we terminate that person's employment."

When asked if it happens often, Whitehead said, "No, it happens seldom."

The undercover investigation found it may happen a little more often.

"There's plenty of people there, some that will be fired today, and they go and buy different papers, and then they go either to a different shift, or the same shift," said an employee.

Randstad claims they check identification immediately. The employees work at Electrolux, but for Randstad, for the next three months.

"Somehow they are getting through Randstad's process, but when Electrolux goes to hire them, all of a sudden they find there's a problem," Arnold said.

"Yes, that can happen," Whitehead said. "Again, the documentation that the individual presents to Electrolux may or may not be the same documentation that is presented to Randstad."

"It's almost like you owned a business in a high-crime area, you would put bars on your windows, could you all do something more like background checks?" Arnold asked.

"If they are using false identification, a background check whether it's a criminal background check or a credit check is not going to tell that this person standing in front of you is using a fake ID," Whitehead said.

Electrolux said only 1,200 of their employees are Hispanic. Of that 1200, only 17 were fired this year, and 16 last year, for documentation discrepancies.

The company denies any wrongdoing. When Electrolux reviews the employee documents, many illegal immigrants are caught and fired.

Electrolux officials take issue with much of Arnold's report. He asked for access to the plant to show what goes on inside there.

Nutting said the hiring practices of Electrolux and other industries in the city have had a negative impact on the city. The investigation continues 10 p.m. Friday.

http://www.newschannel5.com/Global/story.asp?S=7463870