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Hiring

Weigh safety threat of disabled worker

07/01/2000

Q. Can I consider safety in deciding whether to hire an applicant or retain an employee with a disability? —G.P., Pennsylvania

You don’t have to wear blinders to an applicant’s known disability

06/01/2000
Sheet-metal worker Roosevelt Harris received his jobs through a union hiring hall. During one assignment, he complained to the union that the company failed to accommodate his carpal tunnel syndrome. A …

Tighten your policy on work authorization

06/01/2000
Three companies have recently settled federal charges of “document abuse” in hiring, with penalties totaling more than $270,000. The problem: Employers requested specific documents or asked for documents other than those …

Subcontracting I-9 work won’t end your liability

06/01/2000

Q. We own a chain of restaurants. It has been a challenge for us to complete all of the I-9 forms and keep up with reverification of expired work authorizations. Is it legal for us to hire a company to handle these tasks for us? —A.M., Tennessee

Don’t lose your at-will right by guaranteeing a job for life

05/01/2000
Officials at the Huntsman Corp. allegedly told James Scott Wesson that he “would always have a job” there. But Wesson’s employment contract made no mention of lifetime employment. When the company …

Train all staff to head off violence

05/01/2000
While many companies train managers to identify the warning signs of violent behavior, only 24 percent offer such training to all employees, according to a recent …

Don’t ask reference things you wouldn’t ask candidate

05/01/2000

Q. I know that it’s illegal to ask applicants certain questions, like whether they are married. Are there any questions I can’t ask a previous employer or reference? —F.T., Maine

Boost your immigration IQ

05/01/2000
There are six million illegal immigrants in the United States and tough federal sanctions against businesses that hire them. But your business can benefit from federal immigration law by taking advantage …

Don’t rely on blanket statement about applicant’s fitness

05/01/2000
Louis Holiday passed a written exam and physical agility test to become a police officer in Chattanooga, Tenn. After the interview, he had a conditional offer …

Employee car accident may spell liability for company

05/01/2000

Q. An employee injured on the job recently was transported to the hospital by a co-worker. On the way back to work, they were in a car accident and both employees tested positive for illegal substances. What is our total liability? What can companies do to protect against this scenario? —T.K., Ohio