Background Checks

Austin ‘bans the box,’ limiting criminal history inquiries

04/28/2016

The law, which took effect April 3, prohibits covered employers from asking about a potential employee’s criminal background before making an employment offer.

Who has banned the box so far?

04/23/2016

A total of 23 states have adopted policies making it illegal to ask about criminal histories on employment applications.

Form I-9 just expired! What now?

03/31/2016

The current version of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, expires March 31 at midnight. Until further notice, though, employers should keep using it despite the problematic date printed at the top of its first page.

Fixing mistakes in your I-9 forms? How to do it legally

03/24/2016

Many of the I-9 forms in your files are just screaming for attention.

Running background checks? Tell applicants

03/02/2016

We all want to know we’re hiring the best candidates. That often requires running thorough background checks on applicants.

Questionable online content disqualifies job candidates

02/01/2016

Are you among the companies willing to turn away from an applicant because of what they see on social media?

Investigators: U of M wasn’t negligent during AD hiring

01/12/2016

When University of Minnesota Athletic Director Norwood Teague resigned amid charges of sexual harassment and questionable spending, critics said the university must have missed obvious warning signs when he was hired in 2012.

Beware ambiguous questions on job application

12/21/2015

Your job application might be a minefield of litigation risks! Example: If you reserve the right to fire workers who lie on the application, you better be sure that every question on it is absolutely clear.

SBA website offers employers resources for screening applicants

12/15/2015

Did you know that the FBI can help you run background checks on prospective employees?

USCIS proposes ‘smart’ I-9

12/11/2015

With the current version of the Form I-9 set to expire on March 31, 2016, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services earlier this month announced it is seeking public comment on a newly revised “smart” version of the I-9 form. The goal: Reducing errors and preventing confusion.