American Society of Employers - Susan Chance

EverythingPeople this week!

EverythingPeople gives valuable insight into the developments both inside and outside the HR position.

Latest Articles

The Value of Doodling

27 February 2024

The Value of Doodling

Author: Susan Chance

Last week I read a post on LinkedIn where the poster shared her need to be busy all the time. It caused me to recall how often my dad used to say, “Do something while you are resting.” That fostered a need in me to keep my hands busy all the time.

Changes to Marijuana Testing Laws

23 January 2024

Changes to Marijuana Testing Laws

Author: Susan Chance

As more states and cities make marijuana legal in some format, we can expect drug testing laws to change, and they are. It should not be a surprise that California has already put a new law in place as of January 1, 2024.

Strategies for Dealing with an Entitled Coworker

5 December 2023

Strategies for Dealing with an Entitled Coworker

Author: Susan Chance

Entitled is a word that we hear a lot these days. It is often thrown around casually to describe groups of people and individuals even when not necessarily a fair assessment. But have you ever had to work with people who are truly entitled? They could be a boss, co-worker, or perhaps a vendor or supplier.

Here Come the Holidays – Ready or Not

14 November 2023

Here Come the Holidays – Ready or Not

Author: Susan Chance

It seems like just a minute ago it was January. Now summer, with all of its holidays and vacations, are gone and Halloween is just a memory. We are heading into Thanksgiving, Christmas, and all of the other holidays that come between now and the end of the year.

To Test or Not to Test for Marijuana

24 October 2023

To Test or Not to Test for Marijuana

Author: Susan Chance

Now that marijuana has been legalized for recreational use in Michigan and 23 other states and all 50 states have legalized some form of use – from CBD oil only to medical marijuana to fully legalizing use – employers are wondering if they should continue to have applicants/employees submit to drug tests.

The Hidden Dangers of Free Online Background Check Services

3 October 2023

The Hidden Dangers of Free Online Background Check Services

Author: Susan Chance

In this day and age it is hard to believe, but there are still so many employers who either don’t run employment background checks on applicants/employees, or they use free online systems without considering the pitfalls of relying on these free sites.

Rediscovering the Value of In-Person Conferences

12 September 2023

Rediscovering the Value of In-Person Conferences

Author: Susan Chance

As I sit in a hotel room in Texas the day before the start of the Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA) annual conference, it made me pause to consider how much better this is than going virtual during the pandemic. Don’t get me wrong, there are benefits to learning virtually, and I can learn from both virtual and in-person classes, but there is something different about an in-person conference.

More Changes to Background Checks in California

22 August 2023

More Changes to Background Checks in California

Author: Susan Chance

California is once again making changes to how employers can use information obtained in criminal background checks. Last month, changes that had been proposed by the California Civil Rights Council were approved by the California Civil Rights Council and the Office of Administrative Law.

Managing Employee Substance Use: Drug Testing, Training, and Liability in a Changing Legal Landscape

1 August 2023

Managing Employee Substance Use: Drug Testing, Training, and Liability in a Changing Legal Landscape

Author: Susan Chance

Are your employees and managers using marijuana on the job? With more and more locations making marijuana use legal for medical and/or recreational use, it is quite possible. In fact, in one article by the Wall Street Journal, an employee admitted to not only smoking marijuana on the job and in front of his boss, but also to sharing it with his boss.

Be Aware of Credit Check Restrictions That Vary by Location

11 July 2023

Be Aware of Credit Check Restrictions That Vary by Location

Author: Susan Chance

Change is a constant, and that is certainly true in background screening laws. Some changes seem like common sense and are easy to apply, such as having a clear and concise disclosure form. Making sure that anyone giving permission for an employment background check understands what they are agreeing to is basic fairness, and unless an employer has some nefarious intent in mind for a background check, this should be an easy compliance item.

Know the FCRA Requirements for Background Checks

20 June 2023

Know the FCRA Requirements for Background Checks

Author: Susan Chance

Anyone running an employment background check through a third party, such as a background screening company such as ASE and/or automated verification systems is considered a user of consumer reports and therefore must follow the requirements of the FCRA.

Chicago Expands Ban-the-Box Law Requirements

30 May 2023

Chicago Expands Ban-the-Box Law Requirements

Author: Susan Chance

Ban-the-box might seem like old news, but these laws are constantly being added and/or updated. It is important for employers to keep up with the laws in all areas in which their employees work. The city of Chicago recently expanded its requirements on how employers may use criminal records in hiring decisions. 

Federal Agencies Issue Joint Statement on AI – Not an Excuse for Unlawful Discrimination

2 May 2023

Federal Agencies Issue Joint Statement on AI – Not an Excuse for Unlawful Discrimination

Author: Susan Chance

There is a lot of talk about artificial intelligence (AI) these days. Some AI programs are becoming so sophisticated that it can be difficult to tell if the person talking to you on screen is real or an AI created person.

Categories: EverythingPeople, AI
How to Reduce Brain Fog

7 March 2023

How to Reduce Brain Fog

Author: Susan Chance

Recently, I had conversations with several people about brain fog, and most of those people chalked it up to age. However, there are other causes for not being able to find your words, having trouble concentrating, or not remembering why you walked into the kitchen.

Categories: EverythingPeople
Fair Chance Hiring Legislation to be Aware Of

7 February 2023

Fair Chance Hiring Legislation to be Aware Of

Author: Susan Chance

Ban-the-box seems like old news by now as so many states, cities, and counties have enacted some sort of ban-the-box legislation. Most ban-the-box laws address asking about criminal history on job applications. However, some locations are taking it further with Fair Chance Hiring legislation. The Fair Chance Hiring laws address not only when, but how an employer can use criminal history in employment decisions and what obligations they have in making those decisions.
Changes to Know About in California Background Checking Law

10 January 2023

Changes to Know About in California Background Checking Law

Author: Susan Chance

California is once again looking at making changes to how employers can use information from background checks in employment decisions. The California Civil Rights Department’s Civil Right Council released their most recent draft of changes to their Fair Employment and Housing Ace (FEHA) this past December. This update addresses proposed changes to the use of criminal history for employment decisions.

Checklists for International Background Checks

13 December 2022

Checklists for International Background Checks

Author: Susan Chance

More and more employers are considering applicants from other countries to fill vacant positions. While international checks take a longer time to complete, employers can help themselves get through the process more efficiently by providing required information up front.

Be Aware of Potential Bias with AI

22 November 2022

Be Aware of Potential Bias with AI

Author: Susan Chance

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being used more often and for a variety of purposes. Michigan State University received a $1.7 million grant to use AI in finding new drugs for treating diseases. Cyber security uses AI in various forms such as facial recognition to “verify a person’s real-world identity.” These seem to be good uses for AI.

Are Your Background Check’s Consumer Report Disclosures FCRA Compliant?

1 November 2022

Are Your Background Check’s Consumer Report Disclosures FCRA Compliant?

Author: Susan Chance

If you use a consumer reporting agency or third-party vendor such as ASE to conduct a background check on an employee or applicant, you must comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) by first providing the employee or applicant with a written consumer report disclosure. Employers that fail to do this or do it incorrectly expose themselves to significant liability.

Always Eat the Frog First

11 October 2022

Always Eat the Frog First

Author: Susan Chance

What does eating frogs have to do with productivity at work? No, I am not talking about frog legs, which can be found on restaurant menus.

 

Beware of Deepfake Job Applicants

20 September 2022

Beware of Deepfake Job Applicants

Author: Susan Chance

When we think of identity theft, our minds typically go to the culprits opening up credit card accounts or getting loans using another person's information. Identity theft has gone up over the last five years, and according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the number of reported identity theft cases in 2021 increased more than 70% over 2020.

6 Steps for Employers to Set up an Effective Background Screening Program

30 August 2022

6 Steps for Employers to Set up an Effective Background Screening Program

Author: Susan Chance

More than 90% of employers use some form of a background screening on applicants or employees when making employment decisions. There can be several reasons for using them: ensuring safety in the workplace; reducing exposure to liability and legal costs; verifying information provided by applicants and employees; and ensuring position fit. However, while these value-adds may make a strong case for conducting employment background screenings, the legal landscape of this area is constantly...
Long COVID – Are Your Organization’s Policies Up to Date?

9 August 2022

Long COVID – Are Your Organization’s Policies Up to Date?

Author: Susan Chance

Employers have had to scramble over the last three years while dealing with COVID. Suddenly working from home was not a rare option but a required way to keep businesses going while keeping employees as safe as possible. Now that most companies and employees have found their groove in dealing with the pandemic, long COVID is creating new challenges for employers and the employees suffering from the symptoms.

Accurate and Compliant Background Checks Require More Than a Name

19 July 2022

Accurate and Compliant Background Checks Require More Than a Name

Author: Susan Chance

Most people who use background checks for employment purposes are at least familiar with the Fair Credit Reporting Act, or FCRA. But did you know that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has some control over what records a background screening company, commonly referred to as a consumer reporting agency (CRA), can provide to you as an end-user of background screening reports?

Employee Marijuana Use – Know the Laws

28 June 2022

Employee Marijuana Use – Know the Laws

Author: Susan Chance

As more and more states are legalizing the use of marijuana for medical use, recreational use, or both, employers are facing more challenges with maintaining workplace safety while avoiding the pitfalls of laws that are employee friendly to users of marijuana.

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