What steps must my congregation take before hiring a new employee?
What assistance is available for screening employees and doing background checks?
Does your congregation have its ‘I-9’s in order?
Under federal law, all employers—including congregations, synods and church organizations–must have a form on file that verifies the employment eligibility and identity of each employee.
The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires all U.S. employers to complete the Employment Eligibility Verification form (Form I-9) for all employees, including U.S. citizens. There are no exceptions! There are many documents that have been approved to establish employment eligibility. Be careful to note which documents are needed alone and which ones are needed in combination.
- U.S. passport
- driver’s license
- social security card
- certified copy of birth certificate
- permanent resident card
The Bureau of U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has primary responsibility for enforcing these laws. You will find the I-9 forms, in English and Spanish, and other useful information on their Web site.
Employment Screening
- Have a job application completed
- Ask for references
- Ask for previous employment references
- Make sure you call the references and make written notes of the calls for your files.
- See ELCA job application sample
Background Checks
You can do a background check yourself or hire a service to do it for you. Most of this information is public record and can be retrieved online.
Background Checks can be done to:
- verify name and address and previous addresses
- verify previous employers
- verify Social Security number
- verify educational history or professional license
- verify military service
- search criminal records
- search civil records
- search sexual offender / terrorist databases
- search driving violation records
Two background check companies, ChoicePoint, through VolunteerSelect Plus and Oxford Document Management Company, are offering ELCA organizations and institutions at competitive fees for their services:
ChoicePoint
As a preferred vendor, ChoicePoint through VolunteerSelect Plus is waiving any set-up or initiation fees if you use the promotion code provided. VolunteerSelect Plus offers services to ELCA synods, congregations, and affiliated organization customers at competitive rates.
Oxford
As a preferred vendor, Oxford offers a 10% discount on all screening services provided to synods, congregations, and affiliated organization customers. Oxford never charges set-up or initiation fees. To obtain the discount, call Oxford at 1-800-801-9114.
Background Screening from Church Mutual Insurance
See also Employment Law