Background Checks

Know rules for running background checks

02/16/2015

Last year, three large employers learned that there are many wrong ways to perform employee background checks. Canon Solutions America, retailer Dollar General and the Publix supermarket chain all wrote big checks to former job applicants as a result of technical errors in their background investigation policies.

Where in Texas do ‘ban the box’ laws apply?

02/10/2015

Q. I have been hearing a lot about “ban the box” laws lately—measures that limit when inquiry or investigation may be made into the criminal history of a job applicant. I am worried about how these laws could affect my business. To what extent has Texas adopted such policies, and could they endanger my company?

‘Ban the Box’ still a struggle for some Minnesota employers

01/15/2015

Starting Jan. 1, Minnesota employers’ job applications could no longer ask candidates about past criminal convictions. But some employers, including some of the state’s largest, have not completely adapted to the new legal landscape.

‘Before I check your references …’

01/06/2015

Before calling references, ask the applicant, “What am I likely to hear when I contact these people?” The answers may surprise you.

Temp to permanent? OK to set standards high

12/08/2014

The temp-to-permanent track can be a win-win for everyone. It’s perfectly fine to establish high standards for making the jump to permanent employment.

Obama’s executive action will affect tech employers

11/25/2014

President Obama’s Nov. 20 announcement that he would take executive action to protect about 5 million illegal immigrants from deportation set off a political firestorm, but the plan will affect relatively few employers.

Fraud alert: No shortcuts when hiring seasonal staff

11/19/2014

With seasonal hiring expected to be at its highest level in years, fraud experts warn that companies that loosen their usual processes to ramp up staffing can wind up increasing their fraud risk.

Luxury hotelier hit with $2 million tab for immigration violations

10/13/2014

Salt Lake City-based Grand America Hotels and Resorts will pay nearly $2 million for hiring undocumented immigrants following a settlement agreement signed in September between the company, federal prosecutors and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Negligence can’t stand in for discrimination in N.Y.

10/08/2014

Clever lawyers are always looking for ways to reach deeper into employer pockets. One tactic has been to add state negligence claims to run-of-the-mill discrimination cases. That won’t work anymore, at least as far as negligent hiring, supervision and retention claims are concerned.

Employee references aren’t a matter of ‘free speech’

10/07/2014

Answering reference calls? Don’t think all responses are protected by “free speech” rights.