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Hiring

Does the FCRA cover private eyes looking into workers’ comp fraud?

09/16/2011
Q. We suspect that one of our employees has filed a fraudulent workers’ compensation claim. We would like to hire a private investigator to gather information on his activities. By doing so, are we subject to the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act?

Immigrant status counts in failure-to-hire cases

09/16/2011
It’s illegal for employers to use em­­ployees’ undocumented status as an excuse to avoid paying the minimum wage and overtime. But that’s not true in failure-to-hire cases—because if an applicant isn’t authorized to work, the em­­ployer couldn’t hire the worker at all.

Reducing workers’ comp costs: A pre-hire test

09/16/2011
When hiring, you’re always looking for clues to identify high-quality candidates. What if you could predict the person’s future workers’ comp costs?

The ICE man cometh: How to survive an I-9 audit

09/13/2011
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will audit almost 4,000 employers this year, checking to see if their I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification records are in order. Whether your company is on the ICE list or you have been lucky enough to avoid scrutiny until now, it is important to understand what an audit involves and how it may affect your organization.

When hiring, prepare for frivolous lawsuits

09/07/2011

It’s sure to happen: Eventually, a disgruntled applicant or employee seeking promotion will sue you for discrimination in the hiring or promotion process. And that lawsuit may lack any kind of merit. These days, desperate applicants may feel they have nothing to lose by suing. That’s why you should plan ahead.

The 5 worst interview questions … and what to ask instead

09/06/2011

The interview remains a hiring manager’s most effective tool for evaluating job candidates. Unfortunately, managers too often rely on a list of standard interview questions for which most applicants have canned responses. Here are five common questions to avoid, plus suggestions for more productive queries that will help you hire the best.

In hot economy, onboarding takes on vital role

09/06/2011
Employees have options these days, and they’re more willing to leave a job that doesn’t seem like a perfect fit—even if it’s during the first few months. That means your onboarding process is more important than ever.

Offering extra leave as hiring incentive: Any risk?

09/05/2011
Q. We are considering hiring a new RN. She is requesting an extra week of vacation above what our company policy offers. Would we be discriminating against our other full-time employees if we grant her request?

Thanks but no thanks: How to safely reject job candidates

09/02/2011

The current employment situation is tough, meaning there is intense competition for relatively few jobs. You’re probably rejecting more applicants now than usual. How you handle the rejections can mean the difference between an applicant with a positive impression of your organization and one whose feelings are hurt—and who might decide to sue you.

Interns work outdoors to learn sustainability

09/02/2011
Technology company Johnson Con­trols hired 70 Detroit public high school students to spend their summer sprucing up the city’s parks. More than 350 students applied for the jobs through the Student Con­servation Association, which partnered with Johnson Controls.