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Hiring

Feds shift target of immigration enforcement to employers

05/27/2009

The Department of Homeland Security announced last month it is shifting its immigration enforcement efforts to target employers that hire undocumented workers, rather than targeting the workers. The new emphasis should put employers on notice to pay close attention to their employment eligibility verification processes. Failing to comply can carry a high price.

Feds delay start date for E-Verify, ‘red flag’ rules

05/27/2009

The federal government has announced a delay in the implementation date for two regulations that affect employers: using the online E-Verify system to check the work eligibility status for new hires and having a written plan to detect and mitigate identity theft of consumers’ data.

Immigration crackdown targets employers—not illegal workers

05/27/2009

Fulfilling a pledge President Obama made during the 2008 campaign, the Department of Homeland Security has announced its immigration enforcement activities will target employers that hire undocumented workers instead of focusing on arresting and deporting the workers.

Proceed with caution when making health-related inquiries

05/27/2009

Employers enter a legal minefield when they inquire about the health of applicants or employees. State and federal laws—such as the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Act (WCA), the ADA and the FMLA—overlap, and any misstep can cause a litigation explosion.

Good news: The clock eventually runs out on negligent hiring after you’ve fired worker

05/15/2009

You probably know that employers can and are sometimes held liable if their employees harm customers. That’s especially true if they knew or should have known that the employee might be dangerous. But your potential liability—if you negligently hired an employee in the first place—doesn’t go on indefinitely.

Minnesota ranks high in female board membership

05/13/2009

According to a study sponsored by several Minnesota-based women’s business groups and executive search firm Spencer Stuart, Minnesota is second only to New York and Illinois in female board membership among its publicly traded companies.

Can we terminate an H-1B immigrant?

05/13/2009

Q. We are sponsoring an immigrant worker on an H-1B visa. Because of performance issues, we would like to terminate his employment. Can we do this?

Warn bosses: Don’t promise job if they don’t have the authority

05/13/2009

Here’s a reminder for all your supervisors and managers when they are interviewing and selecting potential employees. Tell them they must never promise a job before getting approval. Doing so may mean a lawsuit if the applicant relies on the promise to his detriment.

Chicago’s Loyola law students mastering the recession

05/11/2009

With the possible exception of employment law, the legal profession has been hit hard by the recession. Today’s law school graduates are now competing with cadres of laid-off attorneys for dwindling positions. So, Loyola University Chicago School of Law has devised a way for law students to weather the economic storm.

E-Verify again an eligibility verification option for Illinois employers

05/11/2009

The federal E-Verify program allows employers to voluntarily enroll in the federal government’s Internet-based system for verifying the employment authorization documents submitted by new hires. Consult your attorney before enrolling in E-Verify to determine whether it makes sense to do so.