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What are provisions of Illinois’ new tax incentives to hire veterans?

08/21/2012

Q. We’re interested in taking advantage of the new incentive for Illinois employers to hire veterans. What are the details?

USCIS says Form I-9 is valid after Aug. 31 expiration date

08/20/2012
The current version of the Employment Eligibility Verification (I-9) Form carries an Aug. 31, 2012, expiration date. The feds are considering changes to the form, but said employers should continue to use the current version until further notice. Follow our link for the official word from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Show applicants a career path for each job

08/17/2012
As a recruiting tool, more employers have begun including a sentence or two about the typical career path of the job at the end of each job listing.

Weird applicant résumés: What works, what doesn’t

08/16/2012
With U.S. unemployment still running high, that means two things: You’re receiving more résumés per job, and applicants are ramping up the creativity to grab your attention. That creativity leads to a lot of home runs … and some dramatic strikeouts.

Underage staff OK because it’s ‘not a drinking man’s bar’?

08/13/2012
When the Castle Rock Supper Club in Hawley was accused of illegally employing teenagers, the owners tried to persuade state regulators that it was OK because their establishment is “not a drinking man’s bar” but “more of a family restaurant.” The regulators were unmoved …

Consultants put Minneapolis in hot seat over fire protection

08/13/2012
The Minneapolis Fire Department isn’t adequately staffed and can’t cover the costs of “increasing sick-time usage, injury rates and overtime,” according to a report by a public safety consulting firm the city hired to analyze persistent staffing woes.

Hockey arena builder clanks pipe, breaks child labor laws

08/13/2012

When a St. Paul construction company hired members of the Crookston High School hockey team in 2010 to install drain pipes under the ice rinks at the Crookston Sports Center, it probably seemed like a great community project. In fact, Arena Systems committed the employment law equivalent of three coincidental major penalties.

Interviewee raises sensitive issue: Is it still bias?

08/13/2012

Q. I understand there are lots of questions we can’t ask during interviews. But what if the applicant brings up the subject? For example, if she mentions that she just had a baby, can I ask if she’s made child care arrangements? If a person is coming from out of town, I may ask why. If they say “boyfriend/girlfriend,” can I ask if it’s a permanent move?

EEOC is on the lookout for ‘beauty bias’

08/07/2012
The EEOC is investigating the Marylou’s Coffee chain, looking into its apparent practice of hiring attractive young women. According to the Fisher Phillips law firm, “the EEOC’s big adventure raises a troubling question: Is the EEOC trying to establish that it’s illegal for an employer to prefer attractive employees over unattractive ones?”

Arizona immigration law struck down: What it means

08/06/2012
The U.S. Supreme Court overturned many of the provisions in a controversial 2010 Arizona immigration law. The impact, according to the Foley Lardner law firm, could be a chilling effect on state immigration laws.