Background Checks

How do we complete I-9s for out-of-state staff?

08/31/2016

Q. Some of our employees work in other states out of their homes. For completing the I-9 Forms, can I use a notary public to verify employees’ documents?

White House ‘ban the box’ program picks up big partner

08/20/2016

Walmart has signed the White House’s Fair Chance Business Pledge, bringing to 185 the number of employers joining an Obama administration campaign to help job candidates with criminal histories find their way back into the workforce.

Can job ads request U.S. work authorization?

08/11/2016

Q. Our 40-employee company advertises for jobs internationally but we aren’t able to offer sponsorship to any candidate who is not legally able to work in the United States. I realize we can’t put “Prefer U.S. citizen” on a job ad, but can we alert candidates to our requirement?

Meet with applicant to discuss convictions

08/10/2016

Many Americans have criminal records. The EEOC and local government agencies want to help former convicts start over. The movement to “ban the box” on job applications—the box those with criminal histories are supposed to check—is part of that trend. So is the EEOC’s position that barring applicants with criminal records from employment may amount to discrimination based on race or ethnicity. Employers that refuse to consider any applicant who has a criminal record risk litigation.

A closer look at Austin’s new ‘ban the box’ ordinance

06/02/2016

On March 24, the Austin City Council passed a “ban-the-box” ordinance—the Fair Chance Hiring Ordinance—which took effect April 4. The final version of the ordinance was released on April 12.

Box banned? Better update hiring policy

05/18/2016

If you operate in a jurisdiction that has “banned the box,” it is time to revamp your hiring process to ensure that applicants are not asked about criminal history until offered a job.

Caution when asking about applicant hobbies

05/18/2016

Some companies in notoriously high-pressure industries are making what seems like counterintuitive hiring moves: To improve productivity, they’re seeking employees who they know are willing to stop and smell the roses.

Austin ‘bans the box,’ limiting criminal history inquiries

04/28/2016

The law, which took effect April 3, prohibits covered employers from asking about a potential employee’s criminal background before making an employment offer.

Who has banned the box so far?

04/23/2016

A total of 23 states have adopted policies making it illegal to ask about criminal histories on employment applications.

Form I-9 just expired! What now?

03/31/2016

The current version of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, expires March 31 at midnight. Until further notice, though, employers should keep using it despite the problematic date printed at the top of its first page.