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You Need a New I-9 Form
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced that a new Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9) is available for use. All employers must complete a Form I-9 for each employee hired in the U.S.
Employers are encouraged to start using the new Form immediately and will be required to do so once notice is published in the Federal Register.
The most significant change to the new Form is the removal of 5 documents for proof of both identity and employment eligibility from List A. They include:
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Certificate of U.S. Citizenship
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Certificate of Naturalization
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Alien Registration Receipt Card
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Unexpired Reentry Permit
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Unexpired Refugee Travel Document
One document was added to List A of the List of Acceptable Documents:
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Unexpired Employment Authorization Document
Instructions:
Section 1 now indicates that the employee is not obliged to provide a Social Security Number unless he or she is employed by an employer who participates in E-verify, the Internet-based employment eligibility verification system.
The Section on Photocopying and Retaining now includes information about electronically signing and retaining I-9s.
The Above Information Provided By: HRN Management Group,
www.hrnonline.com One more note:
The Form I-9 is available in English and Spanish. However, only employers in Puerto Rico may have employees complete the Spanish version for their records. Employers in the 50 states and other U.S territories may use the Spanish version as
a translation guide for Spanish-speaking employees, but must complete the English version and keep it in the employer's records. Employees may also use or ask for a translator/preparer to assist them in completing the form.
State of Arizona Minimum Wage Increase
At their meeting on October 4, the Industrial Commission took action to set Arizona's minimum wage for 2008. Based upon that action, effective January 1, 2008, Arizona's minimum wage will be $6.90 per hour.
In accordance with Arizona's Minimum Wage Initiative, the Commission is required to adjust the state's minimum wage annually on January 1, 2008 and on January 1 of successive years by the increase in the cost of living. The increase
in the cost of living is measured by the percentage increase of the Consumer Price Index (All Urban Consumers, U.S. City, All Items) or its successor index…with the minimum wage increase rounded to the nearest five cents.
This change will mean that Arizona's minimum wage in 2008 will exceed the Federal minimum wage. The Federal minimum wage increased to $5.85 per hour in July of 2007. In July of 2008, the Federal minimum wage will increase to $6.55.
In July of 2009 the federal minimum wage will rise to its statutory maximum of$7.25 per hour.
Information regarding the minimum wage initiative can be found on the Industrial Commission's web site at
www.ica.state.az.us.
Holiday Parties
If you're sponsoring lively merrymaking this holiday season, here are some employment rules to remember:
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Although you don't need to pay people who voluntarily attend off-duty events, parties during working hours that employees are required to attend are considered "worktime".
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Perhaps the most significant source of potential liability relates to the consumption of alcohol. Intoxicated celebrants may create liability for accidents and personal injuries, and workers' compensation claims.
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Additionally, a slightly-buzzed brain and lubricated social inhibitions may result in illegal harassment, such as an unwelcome romantic advance, an unkind joke, or other alcohol-induced faux pas.
Here are some practical suggestions to decrease your risks:
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Train supervisors about the company's liability and assign some to keep an eye on the activities, especially concerning alcohol and drinkers.
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Restrict alcohol consumption; if alcohol is served, limit the types of alcohol, the number of drinks, and the time during which it is available.
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Provide food (other than bar snacks and salty items designed to increase thirst).
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Provide a variety of activities and events (besides the bar).
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Have the party away from the workplace, in a hotel, restaurant, or other facility.
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Provide designated drivers, taxis, or other alternative transportation (or arrange for rooms at the facility) to reduce the possibility of alcohol-related car accidents.
Also check out the US Labor Department's Nine Tips for Office Celebrations.
http://www.dol.gov/asp/programs/drugs/workingpartners/sp_iss/ninetips.asp
© LawRoom
Answer to Quiz:
Correct Answer: d. About 15.4 percent
Explanation:
The portion of sexual harassment complaints filed by men has risen from 9.1 percent in 1992 to a record 15.4 percent in 2006, according to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Of the 12,025 sexual harassment complaints received last year by the EEOC and state and local fair employment practices agencies, about 1,850 were filed by men. In 1992, men filed about 960 of the 10,532 sexual harassment complaints.
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