The purpose of the hiring process is to secure the best candidate for the compensation available. This must be done in compliance with federal, state, and local employment law, so it does not discriminate or expose the employer to claims of discrimination. A standardized hiring process is the strongest defense against charges of illegal hiring practices and is the surest means of securing the most qualified candidates Protected classes in Illinois include race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, ancestry, marital status, arrest record, military status, order of protection status, unfavorable military discharge, citizenship status, use of lawful products while not at work, victim of domestic or sexual violence, genetic information, physical or mental handicap or disability, credit history, and pregnancy, among others.
Questions to consider when developing a hiring process include:
- Staffing Needs — What criteria do you use to determine staffing needs? If a vacancy occurs, how do you determine if it needs to be filled?
- Recruiting — What is your advertising strategy and budget? What strategic partnerships have you built? What job boards will you use?
- Screening — Do you have an established screening process? Are your screening tests or tools reliable, valid, and free of any discriminatory intent or impact? Does your application contain a disclosure statement and comply with state and federal requirements?
- Interviewing — What interviewing structure do you use and why? Has your management team been trained on effective and legal interviewing techniques?
- Selection — Do you have an established selection process? Are your selection tools or tests reliable, valid, and free of any discriminatory intent or impact?
- Onboarding — How do you orient new employees to your organization? How do you support new employees in their first 30, 60, 90, or 120 days?
- Evaluation — How do you know if your hiring strategy is successful? What does a successful hire look like? What data do you use (turnover, time to fill, or EEO statistics)?
Let us help you implement a smooth and productive hiring strategy. Learn more about our Strategic HR Consulting Services or call us at 309.863.1202.
