By: Maryjo F. Pirages Reynolds In today’s world of non-stop social media, it may be tempting for an employer to do a quick search of an applicant’s name on Facebook. In less than 10 seconds, the employer can obtain access to an applicant’s photos and personal information, and likely, gain a decent understanding of his […]
Maryjo Pirages Reynolds June 21st, 2016
Posted In: Employment & Labor
Content Editor: Maryjo F. Pirages Reynolds Original Author Credit: Stephanie A. Grattan The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 requires that employers verify the identity and work authorization of their employees via Form I-9, the Employment Eligibility Verification Form. Noncompliant employers may be subject to monetary fines, criminal penalties, and debarment from government contracts. […]
Maryjo Pirages Reynolds March 30th, 2016
Posted In: Employment & Labor, Immigration
Content Editor: Maryjo F. Pirages Reynolds Original Author Credit: Stephanie A. Grattan Employers must retain Forms I-9 for all current employees hired after November 6, 1986. Once an individual’s employment ends, the employer must retain Form I-9 for either three (3) years after the date of hire or one (1) year after the date employment […]
Maryjo Pirages Reynolds March 30th, 2016
Posted In: Employment & Labor, Immigration
Content Editor: Maryjo F. Pirages Reynolds Original Author Credit: Stephanie A. Grattan “E-Verify” is the federal government’s Internet-based system that allows employers to electronically verify the employment authorization of new hires. More than 500,000 employers of all sizes use the E-Verify system, with about 1,400 new companies joining each week. Approximately 200 employers use E-Verify […]
Maryjo Pirages Reynolds March 30th, 2016
Posted In: Employment & Labor, Immigration
Content Editor: Maryjo F. Pirages Reynolds Original Author Credit: Stephanie A. Grattan Self Check is a free online service offered by the federal government that enables workers over the age of sixteen (16) to check their own employment eligibility status. Self Check runs a worker’s biographical information against the same Social Security Administration and Department […]
Maryjo Pirages Reynolds March 30th, 2016
Posted In: Employment & Labor, Immigration
Content Editor: Maryjo F. Pirages Reynolds Original Author Credit: Stephanie A. Grattan Employers have the obligation to obey immigration law by hiring only work-authorized individuals. Additionally, employers cannot violate anti-discrimination laws when hiring or firing work-authorized employees. Specifically, state and federal laws prohibit employers from engaging in the following acts: • Hiring or firing work-authorized […]
Maryjo Pirages Reynolds March 30th, 2016
Posted In: Employment & Labor, Immigration
Content Editor: Maryjo F. Pirages Reynolds Original Author Credit: Stephanie A. Grattan 1. An employer cannot refuse to hire workers who sound or appear foreign. TRUE. All U.S. citizens and employment-authorized individuals are protected from discrimination based on national origin. National origin discrimination occurs when an employer treats an employee differently in connection with hiring, […]
Maryjo Pirages Reynolds March 30th, 2016
Posted In: Employment & Labor, Immigration
By: Maryjo F. Pirages Reynolds On July 19, 2014, Governor Quinn signed the Job Opportunities for Qualified Applicants Act into law. See, P.A. 098-0774, available at http://ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?name=098-0774&GA=98&SessionId=84&DocTypeId=HB&DocNum=5701&GAID=11&Session. The new law has been referred to as “Ban the Box” legislation because it prohibits the use of criminal conviction inquiries on employment applications. The new law also […]
Maryjo Pirages Reynolds October 6th, 2014
Posted In: Employment & Labor
By: Maryjo F. Pirages Reynolds Employer-sponsored events, including but not limited to holiday parties, generate liability risks for employers. Often alcohol is served at such events and employers will likely be exposed to liability for the actions of employees during or after such events. In general, under the Illinois Dramshop Act, employers are classified as social hosts […]
Maryjo Pirages Reynolds November 26th, 2013
Posted In: Employment & Labor
By: Maryjo F. Pirages Reynolds The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, more commonly known as “Obamacare”, added a section to the Fair Labor Standards Act that, beginning October 1, 2013, will require employers to provide employees with special notice of health insurance coverage options. What does this mean for employers? It means employers need […]
Maryjo Pirages Reynolds November 26th, 2013
Posted In: Employment & Labor