Employers Prepare for I-9 Audits by Using a New I-9 Correction and Storage Process That meets Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Requirements!

Although COVID-19 has shifted their focus on Vaccines in the workplace, the Department of Homeland Security continues to extend flexibility for remote employees when completing their I-9 Forms. DHS has expanded this option until May 31, 2021. While this flexibility is helpful to Employers, it only impacts remote employees. These Employers must understand that they are still required to reverify documents for those remote employees when normal operations resume. They also must have a policy in place to As immigration remains at the center of national attention, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is not just stepping up its enforcement efforts at the border they are increasing their efforts.
 
ICE has said it plans to conduct as many as 15,000 I-9 audits per year if it receives sufficient funding, and that one of its goals is to create a “reasonable expectation” among employers that they will be audited. They did receive the funding.  Accordingly, all employers should be prepared. Generally, ICE enforces an employer’s obligation to verify, and re-verify, the work authorization of all new employees. ICE may enforce this responsibility through random I-9 compliance audits or through a narrower investigation based on a lead. The lead can be an anonymous tip, or facts that form a reasonable suspicion of an employer’s non compliance. ICE has been concentrating its recent enforcement efforts on investigations, not random audits like previously. These investigations have focused on all industries viewed as employing a large percentage of unauthorized workers (e.g., the construction industry, landscaping, manufacturing or agricultural industry). However, there are still efforts by ICE to continue investigations in the workplace.
 
This I-9 form preparation, correction and audit webinar will be a step by step process and discussion of all the new guidelines for completing the new I-9 form as well as the ongoing regulations for appropriate method of correcting this document without incurring fines and penalties.

• COVID-19 has shifted the focus on regulatory agencies. Learn how the extension of the flexibility for remote employees still has requirements that have to be provided by Employers
• Although the I-9 document appears like a simple document, more than 72% of Employers have I-9 Documents with errors;
• I-9 documents can be audited by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and many DHS investigators know this is a weakness for most Employers;
• Inappropriate storage of I-9 documents in employee’s personnel files can lead to discrimination claims;
• Disgruntled employees can turn in Employers for I-9 document violations which will bring DHS to your doorstep!
• How is the right way to correct I9 documents and save your company from unnecessary violations?
• What is the minimal risk Employers have when establishing an I9 document Correction & Storage Process?
• Learn if outsourcing your internal I-9 Audit can save you time and protect the company from ICE audits
• How long should I9 documents be retained for active and terminated employees?
• Why are most HR professionals or those responsible for processing I9 documents still violating the request for documents section?
• What can you do if you have remote employees when it comes to I9 forms using the DHS extended I-9 Form remote option.
• Learn about guidelines on how to prepare for an audit from DHS

Anyone can make a claim or complaint and it does not even have to be true. Additionally, now the regulatory agencies are communicating more than ever before. Research has proven that most complaints come from disgruntled employees and others come from audits of targeted industries.
 
Attend this webinar to understand how to fill I-9 form, how to correct it and audit it. Learn what  the best practices to follow to save your company from unnecessary violations?

• All Employers
• Business Owners
• Company Leadership
• Compliance professionals
• Payroll Administrators
• HR Professionals
• Managers/Supervisors
• Employers in all industries
• Small Business Owners
• Large Business Owners
• All Employers

Margie Faulk is a senior level human resources professional with over 15 years of HR management and compliance experience. A current Compliance Advisor for HR Compliance Solutions, LLC, Margie, has worked as an HR Compliance advisor for major corporations and small businesses in the small, large, private, public and Non-profit sectors.  Margie has provided small to large businesses with risk management strategies that protect companies and reduces potential workplace fines and penalties from violation of employment regulations. Margie is bilingual (Spanish) fluent and Bi-cultural.

Margie’s area of expertise includes Criminal Background Screening Policies and auditing, I-9 document correction and storage compliance, Immigration compliance, employee handbook development, policy development, sexual harassment investigations/certified training, SOX regulations, payroll compliance, compliance consulting, monitoring US-based federal, state and local regulations, employee relations issues, internal investigations, HR management, compliance consulting, internal/external audits, and performance management.

Margie is a speaker and accomplished trainer and has created and presented compliance seminars/webinars for over 16 US and International compliance institutes. Margie has testified as a compliance subject matter expert (SME) for several regulatory agencies and against regulatory agencies, thank goodness not on the same day. Margie offers compliance training to HR professionals, business owners, and leadership to ensure compliance with workplace and regulations.

Margie’s unique training philosophy includes providing free customized tools for all attendees. These tools are customized and have been proven to be part an effective risk management strategy. Some of the customized tools include the I-9 Self Audit. Correction and Storage program, Ban the Box Decision Matrix Policy that Employers can provide in a dispute for allegations, Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Compliance Guide, Drug-Free Workplace Volatile Termination E-Book and other compliance program tools when attendees register and attend Margie’s trainings.

Margie holds professional human resources certification (PHR) from the HR Certification Institution (HRCI) and SHRM-CP certification from the Society for Human Resources Management. Margie is a member of the Society of Corporate Compliance & Ethics (SCCE).