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Personnel Files

Identity theft: How far must you go to protect workers’ data?

07/01/2006

The federal Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act (FACTA) of 2003 says businesses that negligently or purposely allow employees’ or customers’ personally identifiable data to fall into the wrong hands can face fines of up to $2,500 per infraction …

Tighten I-9 practices in advance of new legislation

06/01/2006

While Congress tries to hammer out the biggest immigration law changes in decades, Homeland Security is already cracking down. These developments will likely add new responsibilities and risks to your I-9 and visa practices …

Make note if using translator to complete I-9

06/01/2006

Q. Is there any way to obtain I-9 forms pre-printed in Spanish? —A.B., California

Immigration: Congress weighs changes; feds threaten crackdown

06/01/2006

Immigration solidified itself as the top hot-button HR issue of 2006 last month. Amid the backdrop of immigrants’ rights rallies around the country, Congress is debating legislation that could add to employers’ duties and risks in policing immigration …

Record-Keeping: Heed federal rules for discovery of e-mail, IMs

06/01/2006

American workers can access the Internet, e-mail, instant messaging and other forms of electronic communications from anywhere at anytime. While electronic communication helps people do their jobs, it also leaves a trail. A telephone conversation relies on the memory of two participants, but e-mail and IM discussions can be preserved for years to come. And, given the casual way so many people fire off e-mail these days, that can spell legal trouble for employers.

Loss of supporting documents needn’t sink your defense

05/01/2006

What’s a smart HR professional to do when his or her employer is sued and the records you thought would back up management are gone? You can still save the day by locating different electronic or paper correspondence that supports your decisions …

Illegal immigrants now hold 1 of every 20 U.S. jobs

05/01/2006

Undocumented immigrants make up almost 5 percent of the U.S. work force, and about 850,000 illegal immigrants arrive each year, according to a new Pew Hispanic Center study …

EEO-1 compliance: Prepare to comply with the new EEO-1

05/01/2006

In an effort to monitor employment of minorities and females in the work force, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) requires certain employers to complete and file an Employer Information Report, commonly called an EEO-1 report, by Sept. 30 each year …

Biggest Investigation Error: Skipping the Follow-Up Phase

05/01/2006

Too many HR people close the book on harassment investigations too early. By failing to check if harassment has flared up again, you open the organization to further liability …

New I-9, W-4 needed when employee changes name?

05/01/2006

Q. When employees get married, do we need new W-4s to show the new name? And do we need new I-9s (which, I assume, would require supporting documentation in the new name)? — M.G., Washington