The Employer Training Council, a nonprofit council made up of public and private industry, is committed to identifying key workforce issues and offering solutions to community businesses through training and workshops. Members and sponsors include Grand Traverse Container, Alcotec Wire Corporation, Northwest Michigan WORKS!, Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce, Benzie County Chamber of Commerce and Northwest Michigan Council of Governments.

Lea Ann Sterling, Esquire

The Paper Chase Workshop, sponsored by the Employer Training Council, was held on April 16, 2008 in Traverse City.

Lee Ann Sterling, Esq. was the presenter for the event. Participants learned about important changes in hiring compliance, including:

• How good faith compliance helps employers
• Avoiding fines, costly litigation, and incarceration
• Basic preparedness for an audit
• How to complete the new Form I-9 correctly
• Examining applicant documents
• The Real I.D. Act -- what it is!
• Establishing document maintenance procedures
• Understanding your company's liablity under the law
• Your liability for independent contractors
• Your liability for an acquired workforce
• Social Security "No Match" letters -- what to do!
• "Safe Harbor" provisions -- do they apply?

Sterling, whose law office is the only firm north of Grand Rapids practicing in the area of immigration law, revealed important steps to compliance including having a consistent policy and procedure in place which testify to your good faith efforts to be compliant.

"Attending a workshop such as this one, and having a back-up person at the company who is trained in I-9 Form compliance are two important steps you can take," stated Sterling.

Mrs. Sterling is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and regularly participates in AILA's continuing legal education programs including Worksite Compliance and Raids Preparedness.

Click Here for more information about I-9 Form compliance by contacting your local Michigan Works! business liaison.