CHARLESTON, S.C. – MARCH 16, 2011 – In response to recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) employment audits, PeopleMatter released enhanced employment verification features within its HIRE module to help ensure legal compliance for service-industry employers. Updates to the system include automatic field population, task checklists with custom configurations, approved-document upload and e-signature capabilities. HIRE's automated technology simplifies the required I-9 form and continually monitors the latest ICE regulations, forms and processes; in turn, employers avoid fines that can reach up to $1,000 per incorrectly-filed employee.

PeopleMatter developed the improved verification workflows in only 12 days, after ICE raids in major U.S. restaurants raised compliance concerns among service-industry employers. Typical business demographics–-including high turnover rates and a large percentage of hourly, immigrant and under-18 employees–-puts the service industry at an increased risk for I-9 violations.

"We saw an immediate increase in the number of correctly completed I-9 forms from employees," said Caitlin Simmons, Boloco Human and Brand Development Manager. "With PeopleMatter's new tool, our managers can now complete everything online."

Process automation allows companies to store pertinent employee documents in a secure Web library and easily track important benchmark dates and deadlines. Electronic I-9 workflows also simplify employment verification for both the employee and the administrator. Features include:

**Employee **

• Natural workflows to guide the user
• Embedded I-9 questions within the HIRE module to simplify form completion
• Automatically populated review option on the I-9 form to verify accuracy

Administrator

• Configurable tasks and settings for different business roles to grant varying levels of access
• Pre-populated fields in Section 2 of the I-9 form, gathered from employee-submitted data, to ensure correct information and save time
• Helpful icons and descriptions of accepted documents to simplify employee authorization section
• Onboarding dashboard and checklists to easily review outstanding or incomplete tasks

"I-9 compliance is just one of many HR processes service-industry businesses have to deal with," said Valerie Warnock, PeopleMatter I-9 compliance specialist. "Business owners and HR professionals have to intentionally seek out information to become experts in employment processes. Besides federal agency sites, online resources are scarce," Warnock explained. "Luckily, there is software that can manage all of the complex regulations for you."

PeopleMatter plans to release additional employment verification features this spring. Updates include e-verify program enrollment, document information validation and drop-down selection menus for further compliance assurance.

**About PeopleMatter
**PeopleMatter provides a comprehensive talent management solution for the ser­vice industry. We help employers identify, develop and engage dependable talent to provide exemplary customer service. PeopleMatter's platform of HR tools handles hiring, scheduling, learning, recognition and performance management. Our integrated technology manages the process, so employers can focus on the talent. PeopleMatter. The name says it all. PeopleMatter is headquartered in Charleston, S.C., and on the Web at www.peoplematter.com.

PeopleMatter Media Contact:
Joy Capps
843.300.3418
media@peoplematter.com