Friends, we all know that as black people, we have faced countless inequalities, struggles, and barriers in our lives. One of these struggles is in the workplace, where we are often discriminated against and treated unfairly. One important document that we need to be aware of while working is the I-9 Form. Let’s take a look at this important document and learn how to complete it properly.
Understanding the I-9 Form
First, let’s start with the basics. The I-9 Form, also known as the Employment Eligibility Verification Form, is a document that is required by law for all employers to use when hiring new employees. It is used to verify the identity and employment eligibility of individuals who are hired to work in the United States.
It is important to note that the I-9 Form is not an application for employment or authorization to work. It is simply a form used to verify that the employee is eligible to work in the United States. Employers must keep a copy of the completed I-9 Form for their records and must be able to present it in case of an audit.
Sections of the I-9 Form
The I-9 Form is divided into three sections. Section 1 is completed by the employee, and Sections 2 and 3 are completed by the employer.
Section 1:
Section 1 is where the employee verifies their identity and employment eligibility by providing their personal information, employment authorization status, and signature. This section must be completed by the employee on or before their first day of work.
Section 2:
Section 2 is where the employer verifies the employee’s identity and employment eligibility by examining and verifying their original documentation. The employer must fill in the employee’s name, date of birth, and Social Security number, and examine and record information from the employee’s original documents, such as a passport or driver’s license.
The employer must also record the document title, document number, and expiration date (if applicable) for each document presented. This section must be completed within three business days of the employee’s first day of work.
Section 3:
Section 3 is used when the employee’s employment authorization needs to be reverified. For example, if an employee’s work authorization status has expired, the employer must complete Section 3 to reverify the employee’s employment eligibility. This section must be completed by the employer on or before the employee’s work authorization expiration date.
Completing the I-9 Form
Now that we have a better understanding of the I-9 Form and its sections, let’s take a look at how to complete it properly.
Section 1:
The employee must complete Section 1 on or before their first day of work. They must provide their full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number (if available), and contact information. The employee must also attest to their employment authorization status by checking one of the boxes and providing the appropriate documentation.
The employee must also sign and date the form. It is important to make sure that all the information in Section 1 is accurate and up-to-date. Any errors or omissions can delay the processing of the I-9 Form.
Section 2:
The employer is responsible for completing Section 2 within three business days of the employee’s first day of work. The employer must examine the original documents presented by the employee and record the document information in Section 2. The employer must also fill in the employee’s name, date of birth, and Social Security number (if available).
The employer must make sure that the documents presented by the employee are authentic and that the employee is authorized to work in the United States. If the documents are not valid or if the employee is not authorized to work, the employer must terminate the employee’s employment.
It is important to note that the employer cannot specify which documents an employee should present. The employee has the right to choose which documents to present, as long as they are on the list of acceptable documents provided in the I-9 Form instructions.
Section 3:
Section 3 is used when the employee’s employment authorization needs to be reverified. If the employee’s work authorization has expired, the employer must complete Section 3 to reverify the employee’s employment eligibility. The employer must fill in the employee’s name, date of birth, and Social Security number, and examine and record information from the employee’s original documents.
If Section 3 needs to be completed, it must be done on or before the employee’s work authorization expiration date. The employer may also complete Section 3 if the employee’s name or citizenship status has changed since completing the original I-9 Form.
Conclusion
As black people, it is important that we are aware of our rights and responsibilities in the workplace. The I-9 Form is an important document that we need to understand and complete properly when starting a new job.
Remember that the I-9 Form is not an application for employment or authorization to work. It is simply a form used to verify that the employee is eligible to work in the United States. Employers must keep a copy of the completed I-9 Form for their records and must be able to present it in case of an audit.
Thank you for taking the time to learn about the I-9 Form. We hope that this information has been helpful and informative.
