Washington based herb grower fined $1 million for knowingly employing illegal aliens
A Washington-based supplier of fresh organic herbs to nearly 2,700 grocers was sentenced Tuesday to $1 million in criminal fines and probation for hiring illegal aliens in a case spurred by a tip to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). In a plea agreement, the organization and three top executives admitted […]
Justice Department Settles Document Abuse Claim against a School in Ohio
The Justice Department announced today that it reached an agreement with a school in Ohio resolving allegations that the company discriminated under the anti-discrimination provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act, when it fired an employee at division in Ohio, in connection with a “reverification” of his employment eligibility. In a complaint filed with the […]
EEOC Issues Guidelines for Criminal Checks in Background Screening
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued new guidelines for employers on the use of criminal background checks when hiring new employees. “The new guidance clarifies and updates the EEOC’s longstanding policy concerning the use of arrest and conviction records in employment, which will assist job seekers, employees, employers, and many other agency stakeholders,” said […]
Colorado-based Restaurant Fined for Missing I-9
Office of the Chief Administrative Hearing Officer recently upheld fine that was imposed on a Colorado based restaurant for failing to prepare or present a Form I-9 upon request. The Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE or the government) filed a one count complaint against the firm for incomplete or missing I-9s. […]
Alabama Businesses Miss E-Verify Deadline
The Alabama immigration law which was set to be effective from April 1st saw the deadline close in a dismal fashion. Results show a significant number of businesses have failed to register with E-Verify the employment eligibility verification program The federal government says 18,137 Alabama companies had enrolled in the E-Verify system by Monday, the […]
Proposed Changes for Revised Form I-9
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today published a notice in the Federal Register inviting public comment on a revised Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. The existing form will expire by 31st August 2012 and the revised form will become effective only after notification from USCIS. Employers must complete Form I-9 for all newly-hired employees […]
Justice Department Settles Charge of Employment Discrimination by Puerto Rico Security Company
The Justice Department and Puerto Rico-based security company have agreed to settle allegations that the company discriminated against a work-authorized individual during the Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9 process by requiring him to present a lawful permanent resident card, despite the fact that the employee had already produced documents establishing his identity and authority to […]
Amendment to Massachusetts Criminal History Check from May 4th 2012
In 2010, Massachusetts enacted a new law governing the use of criminal records for employment in Massachusetts and the Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) Reform Act will become effective from May 4, 2012. The act will allow all employers access to a new online records system, but it also imposes obligations on employers that acquire […]
Using Consumer Reports: What Employers Need to Know
Your company has job vacancies to fill. You’re also thinking about promoting some employees from within the company. You’ve winnowed down the stack of applications and resumes and want to run background checks through a third party company who is in the business of compiling background information. Employment background checks also are known as consumer […]