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Hiring

Texas unemployment rate drops to historic low

08/01/2007

In May, the Texas seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 4.1% (from 4.2% in April and 5.0% a year ago), its lowest point since 1976. Texas employers have added 239,000 jobs over the past 12 months …

Standard background checks not foolproof—Try Internet, too

08/01/2007

When the Lima School District hired a new head football coach, the school conducted a standard background check, including reference checks and fingerprint screening by the FBI …
 

Reference checking: ERKA and how employers should respond

08/01/2007

Releasing employment information about a former employee can be a dangerous and tricky situation …

Ask job applicants about felony convictions, but be careful

08/01/2007

Q. We are reviewing our employment application, which includes a question about felony convictions. We have been told that we should not ask about an applicant’s arrest record. Can you explain what we can ask and what we cannot ask? We are a relatively small company, with fewer than 100 employees. — C.T.

Can an arrest record factor into hiring?

08/01/2007

Q May a California employer consider a worker’s arrest record in making a hiring decision?

Handle employee background checks correctly to lessen liability

08/01/2007

More and more employers are conducting criminal background checks on prospective and current employees, and that means employers are asking tough questions about prior arrests and convictions in the application process. To avoid potential liability, your company needs to develop practices and procedures for managing the process. You need to understand applicable state and federal laws concerning background checks …

Chicago suburb mulls tough anti-Immigration policy

08/01/2007

Suburban Carpentersville is considering an immigration ordinance that would allow the local government to revoke the business license of any employer hiring undocumented workers …

Increased worker-Eligibility verification began July 1

08/01/2007

The first phase of the Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act came online July 1, when public employers and government contractors with 500 or more employees were required to begin conducting work-eligibility checks on their employees …

Want the job? Giving your Social Security number is mandatory

08/01/2007

No doubt you’ve read recent accounts about the prevalence of identity theft and the use of Social Security numbers to obtain fraudulent credit cards and other documents. But the rise in such crimes does not excuse employees from giving their Social Security numbers to employers …

Dunkin’ Donuts sues own franchisees for hiring illegals

08/01/2007

Dunkin’ Donuts has filed suit against Anuja Inc., operator of two franchises in Somerset and Middlesex, over the hiring of illegal immigrants. The lawsuit contends the owners knowingly accepted false documents, used false Social Security numbers and paid workers in cash …