Professionals to Explore Employment Eligibility Regulations, Forms and Consequences

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Three human resource classes offered this spring will help employers learn to navigate federal employment eligibility regulations, complete forms, spot fraudulent documents, and avoid accusations of discrimination.

The University of Arkansas Global Campus and Information Solutions – a consulting group experienced in immigration and employment eligibility issues – will offer the three sessions at the Arvest Community Room, 1645 Highway 412 West, Siloam Springs, Ark. The cost is $49 per session or $125 for all three. Online registration is open at http://globalcampus.uark.edu/register.

The Human Resource Certification Institute approved each session of this series for 2.25 general recertification credit hours toward Professional in Human Resource, Senior Professional in Human Resources and Global Professional in Human Resource.

Session 1: “I-9 Boot Camp” is set for 4:30 to 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 11. It is an interactive session in employment eligibility procedure, based on government regulation. The presentation will provide instructions for the accurate completion of Form I-9, the employment eligibility form, and will focus on explanations behind the sometimes confusing process.

Session 2: “How Could This Happen to Me” will run 4:30 to 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 18. It will explore law enforcement actions taken against employers who have hired undocumented workers and stories that led to the action. The class will review legislative actions and case studies regarding immigration.

Session 3: “On Thin Ice” is set for 4:30 to 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 25. Participants will learn how to identify employee-submitted documents that “reasonably appear on their face to be genuine,” as described in government procedures. Participants will learn what documents are required for employment by foreign students and other specific information about documentation, including how many numbers appear on a Permanent Resident Card. Fines for accepting fraudulent documents or hiring unauthorized individuals will be discussed.

Sheila Moss, president of Information Solutions, will teach the classes. Moss has more than 16 years of experience in immigration and employment eligibility matters and received training in Form I-9 compliance from attorneys, federal government officials, immigration agents, and corporations. She discussed the topic at a session of the 2009 Arkansas Society for Human Resource Management conference. At the request of Arkansas officials, she provided expert testimony regarding the last immigration bill introduced in the 2009 legislative session.

Moss consults with attorneys to defend or settle cases relating to immigration issues between employers and the federal government or professional licensing boards. Her consulting group has a record of success in directing employment eligibility compliance programs for corporations. She travels across the nation each year, providing training in I-9 compliance and related subjects at public institutions and private corporations.

The Global Campus collaborates with academic colleges and schools, businesses and organizations to provide development classes for business professionals. The Global Campus also supports the development of online academic credit courses and degree programs provided by the university’s colleges and schools. Visit http://globalcampus.uark.edu/pd for information about professional development classes or http://online.uark.edu for online and distance learning offerings.