How can staffing agencies ensure compliance with employment eligibility verification?

To ensure compliance with employment eligibility verification in the United States, completing Form I-9 for all employees and verifying their eligibility to work is the most critical action that staffing agencies must take. Form I-9 requires employers to verify the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired for employment in the U.S. This includes verifying the documents presented by the employee that establish both their identity and their right to work in the country.

The form must be completed for every employee, whether they are temporary or permanent, and must be retained by the employer for a specified period. By diligently following this process, staffing agencies fulfill their legal obligation to confirm that all workers meet the necessary requirements to be employed and mitigate the risk of penalties associated with non-compliance.

While background checks, setting stricter hiring guidelines, and training on legal rights are relevant practices in the staffing industry, they do not specifically address the compliance requirements related to employment eligibility verification as directly as Form I-9 does. Therefore, the correct approach centers on the completion and handling of Form I-9 to ensure that every employee's eligibility is legally verified.