Background Checks

Barbie Shagwell, whips, and other social-media hiring red flags

November 28, 2011 | by Eric B. Meyer

Two weeks ago, I was in Las Vegas at the Advanced Employment Issues Symposium, presenting on using social media to make hiring decisions. If you would like to obtain a copy of my presentation, just head on over to our Facebook fan page, “like” us, and download it.

After the jump, I want to touch upon one of the hotter topics we discussed. That is, just what are those red flags that employers should be looking for should they choose to use social media to background-check job candidates?

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When can Philly employers ask about criminal convictions?

April 20, 2011 | by Eric B. Meyer

Back on March 22, I reported that City Council would vote on the “Fair Criminal Screening Standards” bill, a measure that would forbid city employers from discriminating or retaliating against job candidates with criminal convictions. City Council has since approved the bill and Mayor Nutter has signed it.

For more details about this bill and the effect it will have on employers, check out my March 22 post and this e-Alert from Marjorie Obod and Katharine Hartman of Dilworth Paxson LLP.

One thing is clear, Philadelphia employers better act hella-fast to update their employment applications, as this new law will take effect 90 days from when Mayor Nutter signed the bill. So what are you waiting for? (Yes, you have time to watch both the CGI and Alient Ant Farm cover of “Smooth Criminal”)

Can Philadelphia employers ask job applicants about criminal convictions?

March 22, 2011 | by Eric B. Meyer

For now, yes.

However, a bill presently pending in City Council could change that very quickly. I’ll break down the bill and the impact it will have on local employers after the jump.

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