With fines for hiring unauthorized workers ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars per violation, employers are and should be increasingly focused on identifying and onboarding a trusted staffing partner that can skillfully verify talent to build teams that exceed target business goals.

Especially for industries with high turnover workers, such as construction, manufacturing, hospitality, agriculture, and food service, and whether those workers are full-time or temporary workers, employers are advised to closely review their third-party vendors’ processes around compliance to ensure they are not at risk. A compliance-focused staffing partner provides additional safeguards to businesses through their partnership in placing authorized-to-work talent and consistently monitoring the workplace authorization of placed talent.

2) Strategically audit workforces

The consequences of an unlawful workforce can be costly, including extensive reputational, legal and financial damage to a brand. As companies seek new ways to attract talent, having a reputational scar for workplace noncompliance may steer potential candidates to competitors.

While some business leaders may not be aware, with joint employer liability, employers may be charged with violations for hiring unauthorized workers, even if their staffing provider is the employer of record.

To avoid reputational damage, companies should partner with staffing providers that invest in best-in-class compliance platforms and accurately complete worker authorization requirements to reduce risks associated with hiring undocumented workers. Compliance-focused staffing providers demonstrate their commitment to compliance by continually auditing current workforce documentation and staying ahead of evolving regulatory changes. For example, while an employee onboarded to a company years ago may have matched all of the compliance requirements at the time, the employee may no longer be eligible to perform work in the U.S.

To ensure companies are meeting their workforce compliance requirements and protecting their reputations, we believe in the power of using a thorough two-step process to verify the employment eligibility of all talent placed at client sites and exceeding most state and local workforce verification requirements. There is no such thing as being “too compliant” – cutting corners, albeit the wrong thing to do, may save a small investment upfront, but the long-term costs are profound and extensive.

3) Stay ahead of compliance trends

Hiring strategies across all industries, especially in industrial sectors, are in a constant state of change.

Ranging from permanent to temporary staffing arrangements, employers should remain vigilant when onboarding new staff, regardless of how long the work assignment is expected to last. Especially as shifting federal focus and enforcement is elevating compliance to a top C-suite priority, now more than ever, leaders need help navigating the latest workforce authorization regulations and requirements.

Staffing providers should, by design, constantly have a pulse on the latest compliance trends as they are assembling workforces to drive business success for clients, but validating that your staffing provider is focused on compliance is a must.

Related: Navigating employee benefits compliance during leaves of absence

When searching for a staffing partner, employers should not only evaluate which provider they trust to source and place compliant talent, but they should also determine which firm offers the most helpful, relevant, and proactive insights on the current employment authorization landscape to stay ahead of the changing landscape. As government crackdowns on workforce compliance continue, employers should partner with a compliance-focused staffing provider that can advise them on what’s to come in the future and collaborate with the employer to remain staffed with a compliant workforce at all times.

Taking action with workforce compliance

Workforce compliance is so much more than just checking the multitude of boxes.

When regulatory compliance is a top priority, employers can be confident that they’ve reduced business risks like extensive financial, legal and reputational risks, and employed a workforce that can be relied upon to help the company drive positive business results.

One change is certain . . . the employment and regulatory landscape will continue to shift over time. Employers choosing a trusted compliance-focused staffing partner can ease employers’ burdens by navigating that shifting landscape and assembling authorized workforce teams to drive positive business outcomes.