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Background Checks

Revise hiring processes to comply with S.B. 337

09/13/2012
A new Ohio law designed to make convicted criminals more employable means you must immediately review your hiring practices.

It’s time to review your criminal history screening practices

06/18/2012
In April, the EEOC issued a new Enforcement Guidance document on the use of criminal history information in making hiring and other employment decisions. In light of the guidance and the EEOC’s increased focus on discrimination in hiring, employers should review and update their criminal history screening policies and practices.

7 ways to limit your social media liability

06/14/2012

Online social networking sites provide a variety of benefits to organizations. They can help you collect industry-based knowledge, reach new customers, build your brand and publicize your company’s name and reputation. But those benefits come with their fair share of legal risks. You need a comprehensive social media policy to guide employees on your expectations about their online behavior.

EEOC’s new guidance on criminal background checks

05/30/2012
Earlier this year, the EEOC issued up­­dated guidance on how employers should use arrest and con­­viction records when making hiring decisions. If you use criminal background checks to screen applicants and employees, this affects you! Fact: Checks that were once routine are now under the gun.

EEOC: We’re watching how you run criminal checks

05/09/2012
New, official EEOC guidance reinforces the commission’s view that using criminal histories to screen out job applicants can violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act by having a disparate impact on minorities.

Schumer jumps into Facebook password fray

05/03/2012
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) have asked the DOJ and the EEOC to issue an opinion on one of today’s hot-button employment law issues: Is it a violation of the Stored Communications Act or any other federal law for an employer to ask job applicants to provide their Facebook passwords?

What are the rules on giving truthful references about former employees?

04/24/2012
Q. An employer asked us for a job verification on an employee we fired. The request includes a written consent form from the worker allowing the query. Can I release any and all information regarding the former employee’s history with us?

Court: Professional licensure can require fingerprinting

04/19/2012
A federal court has upheld a Cali­for­­nia state requirement that nurses who want to renew or apply for a professional license must submit a set of fingerprints along with their applications. The prints are needed to conduct criminal background checks.

Report alleges state didn’t investigate hospital head

04/12/2012
The state Department of Human Services failed to check educational and employment references for the director of the state’s largest mental hospital, according to a report by Minnesota Public Radio.

Background check into workers’ comp claims isn’t subject to Fair Credit Reporting Act

03/08/2012
Here’s some good news for em­­ployers that check workers’ compensation claims against an applicant’s claim he’s never been injured on the job: You don’t have to inform him where you got the information be­­fore you take action because workers’ comp checks aren’t background in­­vestigations subject to the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act.