Human Resource Blog

Needed social security card?

>I am working in HR at this job and they got bought over by a new company so we had to fill out all our paper work again. I haven’t been able to bring in my social secirity card but usually you can bring in your passport or your license and ssn. They told me that I can’t bring in just my passport and that I absolutely have to have my social security card or else they can’t put me on the schedule until I bring it. Can this happen?

This is probably not legal. Presumably the new employer is having all employees complete new I-9 forms. As the form clearly states in the instructions, an employer cannot dictate which form of identification an employee uses. A US passport is accepted as proof of both identity and eligibility to work legally, on the I-9. The employer must accept any and all forms of identification listed on the I-9. Doing otherwise is discrimination, and could be reported to the EEOC.

Here is a link to the I-9 form with the non-discrimination notice prominent on the first page: http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-9.pdf

BTW, the employer is not just having you fill out new paperwork. All of you are being hired, as new employees, which may affect accrued vacation, sick time, etc. Also, it does not reflect very highly on the new employer, that they are not aware of the legal requirements of the I-9.