Helping You Hire the Best

...ICE issued the Notice of Intent to Fine on February 8, and the fine was paid on February 9 in Cleveland. Since the investigation, Koch Foods has apparently implemented new hiring procedures and an immigration compliance program to prevent future violations. The company is now also using Pre-Check partner E-Verify.

In announcing this fine, ICE reminded employers that they have implemented a new, comprehensive strategy to reduce the demand for unauthorized employment by focusing their resources on auditing and investigating employers who are suspected of cultivating and hiring undocumented workers. In addition, ICE has also been increasing the number of random Form I-9 audits on all employers, regardless of size or industry.

More information about I-9 compliance is available on the E-Verify blog.

Pre-Check Provides Another Way to Help You Hire the Best

LAKEWOOD, OHIO

The Pre-Check Company, a quality leader in background screening companies has developed a cloud-computing service that provides complete talent tracking. The service, Pre-Select, is now in beta release and is expected to be released to the HR community early 2010. In this current economic climate, it's even more imperative to hire the right applicant for the available positions. The system provides a skinnable application so it looks like the company website, offers pre-qualifying questions to limit the job seeker pool to real applicants, qualifying questions that help determine the right applicant for the position, global keyword searches , HR and Hiring Manager collaboration, and more. For more information about Pre-Select, contact Robert Drusendahl, President, at 216-226-7700.

Medicaid or CHIP Program Requirements

The Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (CHIPRA) requires employers offering group health plans to notify employees of their potential rights to receive premium assistance under a state's Medicaid or CHIP program. The requirement applies to employers with employees that reside in any of 40 states that provide premium assistance. Contact your local SHRM for more information.

Red Flag Rules
Red Flag Rules require all employers using background checking services to have a reasonable policy to ensure that the background reports they receive pertain to the employees or applicants being checked, and penalties are stiff if the employer does not have and use a proper red flag rule procedure. To read more about Red Flag Rules and how to design proper procedures, read the white paper provided by Benesch.

Upcoming Issues/Dates to Remember

What: New Excise Tax Reporting on Certain Health Plan Violations

When: The reporting obligation is effective for plan years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2010.

Key Term: New Excise Tax Reporting (under Benefits)

What: Mandatory Online 5500 Filing
When: With the start of 2010, filers must submit the 2009 and 2010 annual return/report forms and schedules electronically through EFAST2.
Key Term: Mandatory Online 5500 Filing (under Benefits)

What: Red Flags Rule Applies to Flexible Spending Accounts with Debit Cards
When: Beginning June 1, 2010, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will enforce its "red flags” rule on identity theft.
Key Term: Red Flags Rule (under Benefits)

What: Mental Health Parity Regulations
When: The regulations are effective April 5, 2010, for plan years beginning on or after July 1, 2010. Therefore, calendar-year plans must comply with the new regulations beginning with the 2011 plan year.
Key Term: Mental Health Parity Interim Final Rules (under Benefits)

What: The CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2009 (CHIPRA) requires employers offering group health plans to notify employees of their potential rights to receive premium assistance under a state's Medicaid or CHIP program.
When: Employers are required to provide these notices by the date that is the later of (1) the first day of the first plan year after February 4, 2010; or (2) May 1, 2010. Accordingly, for plan years beginning from February 4, 2010, through April 30, 2010, the Employer CHIP notice must be provided by May 1, 2010. For employers whose next plan year begins on or after May 1, 2010, the Employer CHIP notice must be provided by the first day of the next plan year (January 1, 2011 for calendar-year plans).
Key Term: CHIPRA Prem. Assistance Model Notice (under Benefits)

New I-9 Form
The federal government has released a new I-9 form that you should be using now. If you don't have a copy,you may download it here.

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