Hiring the first employees can be exciting because it shows your business is growing. However, it can also be overwhelming, as you want to onboard the right talent without getting into any legal trouble.
You need to be well-informed and extra careful when hiring for the first time and subsequently. Here are two elements you need to understand:
1. Employment discrimination
It’s illegal to treat an applicant differently or less favorably because of their identity attribute, including race, color, age (above 40), sex, religion, national origin and disability status.
You should evaluate all your applicants using the same criteria and be informed about questions that may be unlawful to ask. Further, consider providing reasonable accommodations when necessary, such as having readers and interpreters or holding the interview in an accessible location.
If you have another person involved in the hiring process, ensure they are well-informed about anti-discrimination laws.
2. New hire reporting law
When you hire or rehire employees, you need to report them by mail to the Office of the Attorney General within 20 calendar days of the hire. If you wish to report electronically, you must send the reports at least twice a month – the reports being 12 to 16 days apart.
The state requires employers to report new hires to improve child support collections and prevent fraudulent claims for unemployment benefits, workers’ compensation and other public assistance.
Each time you fail to report a new hire, you may pay $25 in penalties. You may also pay $500 for conspiring with an employee to fail to file a report or submit a false or incomplete report.
It’s not uncommon for employers to face costly legal issues from the beginning. Being informed can help you avoid such problems, allowing you to grow your business.
