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Background Checks

Box banned? Better update hiring policy

05/18/2016
If you operate in a jurisdiction that has “banned the box,” it is time to revamp your hiring process to ensure that applicants are not asked about criminal history until offered a job.

Caution when asking about applicant hobbies

05/18/2016
Some companies in notoriously high-pressure industries are making what seems like counterintuitive hiring moves: To improve productivity, they’re seeking employees who they know are willing to stop and smell the roses.

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.