We’ve delved into this topic several times in recent months, discussing the possible perils and benefits of social media screening of candidates. The National Law Review posted an informative article this week titled “To Stalk or Not to Stalk….That Is the Question – Using Social Media for Applicant Review.” The focus of the article is social media screening, and they included some great best practice tips when using social media to screen applicants.

JD Supra posted this article discussing accidental FCRA liability when conducting background checks. It’s a straightforward explanation and a guide to employers who screen prospective employees.

This article, posted by JD Supra and Perkins Coie back in April 2019, is a good complement to their latest article noted above. The post does a great job of outlining FCRA requirements, steps employers should take when screening new hires, highlights of two Ninth Circuit decisions, perils of violating the FCRA, and takeaways for employers!

The City of Waterloo, Iowa passed the ban-the-box ordinance this week, making it the first city in Iowa to prevent private employers from asking candidates about criminal history prior to extending a conditional offer of employment. There was a lot of public input, so the final vote was postponed to this week.

This Forbes article does a great job of tackling the issue of legalized marijuana and how it affects the workplace, including trying to comply with often conflicting federal, state and local laws. More states are adopting laws to legalize medical marijuana use, and several states have legalized recreational marijuana. It is confusing to say the least! And very difficult to create policies and procedures that comply with the varying laws while still protecting the workplace.

JDSupra published this article containing several questions and answers related to the Illinois Salary History Ban, which goes into effect Sunday, September 29, 2019. It’s a great resource - providing helpful guidance in understanding the new law.