09/08/08 Utilizing the I-9

Utilizing the I-9. I'm Greg Martin with today's Fruit Grower Report. Dan Fazio, Director of Washington Farm Bureau's Member Services has been busy this year training employers how to properly use Form I-9, the Employment Eligibility Verification form. FAZIO: What we've been doing all summer is going out and doing small group I-9 training and how to fill out I-9's because we find that that is the best defense for employers against a charge that they are hiring illegal's. Fazio says it's important for employers to know what the rules are. FAZIO: The responsibility of the employer is to accept the document that the employee shows. It's the employees responsibility to prove that they are eligible to work in the United States and that's what the Department of Homeland Security is checking right now. They're doing audits of I-9's. About 60 companies had signed up for training and Fazio says that they are about half way done and will continue through the end of the year. FAZIO: The best way to do the training we've found is to have a small group, let people answer questions and just go right out to the company so we're driving around the state doing that. At this point it's really the best defense for an employer is to just properly fill out your I-9's and have them available. If you do have any questions regarding Form I-9 be sure and contact the Washington State Farm Bureau office. That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.