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Personnel Files

Rehiring ex-addict? Get proof of rehab

08/01/2002
Joel Hernandez had worked for Hughes Aircraft for 25 years when he tested positive for cocaine during a workplace drug test. Rather than be fired, he resigned. The company noted in …

High court ruling forces longer retention of records

07/01/2002
In another ruling last month, the Supreme Court said employees in some cases can file discrimination charges even if allegations fall outside the statute of limitations. Under Title VII, employees …

I-9 form: Feds give mixed message about which IDs you can accept

07/01/2002
When filing Employment Eligibility Verification forms (I-9s) for new hires, you may be unknowingly accepting documents that no longer are allowed. Reason: The I-9 version that em-ployers are given and …

SSA sending more ‘no match’ letters; know how to respond

06/01/2002
In light of Sept. 11, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has increased its efforts to find workers whose names don’t match their Social Security numbers. And their effort could require action …

References: Stick to Facts

06/01/2002

Q. An employer asked us for job verification on an employee we fired. It has a written consent form from the worker allowing the query. Can I release any and all information regarding the ex-employee’s history with us? —R.F., Colorado

State Laws Govern Access to Personnel Files

06/01/2002

Q. What’s the law on letting employees review all their personnel files? Can we prevent it? —J.S., Utah

FMLA recordkeeping hassles costing businesses big bucks

05/01/2002
Complying with the information-collection requirements of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) costs large- and medium-size employers an average of $825,000 annually, says a recent survey by the Employment …

HIPAA health care privacy rules: They do apply to you

04/01/2002
It’s a common misconception: Employers have been lulled into thinking that the strict privacy provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) apply only to health care providers …

Banning Unsolicited Résumés

04/01/2002

Q. Our company doesn’t want to consider unsolicited résumés as applicants. We are trying to come up with a legally sound definition for “applicant” so we can write an official policy. —H.D., Wisconsin

Accept Worker’s Choice of I-9 Documents

02/01/2002

Q. Is it true that under a recently passed law, our company no longer can request copies of picture I.D. and Social Security cards? —A.G., Texas