Tennessee is on the move with strict measures to ensure a compliant workforce in the Volunteer State. While current state law provides a choice for employers of six or more employees the option to use either E-Verify, or only accept certain documents that establish identity and work authorization, the new law going into effect January 1, 2017 will eliminate this option for Tennessee employers of fifty or more employees. All employers with a Tennessee work force greater than fifty employees will be required to use E-Verify exclusively.

E-Verify, maintained by United States Customs and Immigration Service, is an additional step that employers can take to verify that an employee is authorized to work in the United States. It is a companion to, not a replacement of, the required Form I-9.

In The Works

This change is not a surprise, as the Tennessee Lawful Employment Act (TLEA), originally signed into law in 2011, has been gradually phased in according to company size. Governor Bill Haslam signed this latest amendment into law on April 21, 2016, signaling a nod to greater enforcement once January rolls around. A check of the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce website will reveal not only the most current E-Verify and I-9 information, one can also see the public shaming of non-compliant companies and the fines levied against them. Penalties, and bad press, can quickly mount for employers in violation of the law. Hefty fines mount for repeat offenders, and reach up to $2500 per employee for a 3rd offence.

Next Steps – What is an employer to do?

If your company has more than fifty employees, begin to get familiar with the E-Verify portal, and enroll with the program. If you have less than fifty employees, it is still a wise move to become familiar with the process. Do you have a seamless HR process to guide you through the I-9 and E-Verify requirements? The penalties alone are a motivation to become acquainted with these requirements.

Review your current processes and employee records. Now is the time to fix holes in the process if an internal review finds shortcomings.

Use HR specific software to streamline your paper process and eliminate the risk of non-compliance. Consider a system that guides you in perfectly using E-Verify, and is fully integrated, such as Tracker I-9 Integration with E-Verify. This system is simple to use, yet legally comprehensive. Automated error-catching and correction are just some of the tools that make Tracker the robust and wise choice.

Tracker is the most trusted partner for I-9 and E-Verify compliance, with thousands of customers including the top U.S. employers. We are the only I-9 software company with a perfect 13-year record with federal agencies and systems. Request a Demo of Tracker’s I-9 and E-Verify solution and take the first step toward flawless compliance.