1. SHRM Survey Findings: Employment Verification
June 16, 2014

2. Definitions
• Employment Verification: The process in which employees produce documents that verify their
identity and eligibility to work in the United States. Part of this process is for employers to review
documents and complete the Employment Eligibility Verification Form (Form I-9).
• E-Verify: An Internet-based program run by the United States government that compares
information from employees’ Employment Eligibility Verification Form (Form I-9) to data from U.S.
government databases. Participation is voluntary unless mandated by state law. Some federal
contractors are required to participate, as are certain employers seeking to extend the work permit
of certain foreign graduates in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields.
2SHRM Survey Findings: Employment Verification ©SHRM 2014

3. • What challenges are associated with the Form I-9 verification process? Although nearly half
(44%) of respondents indicated they do not face any challenges, 34% reported difficulty maintaining
records when keeping track of documents with an expiration date, and 18% encounter issues with
the authenticity of documents presented by employees.
• How many employers participate in E-Verify? Overall, 56% of respondent organizations
indicated they participate in E-Verify. Publicly owned for-profit (79%) and privately owned for-profit
(62%) organizations were more likely to report using E-Verify than nonprofit organizations (40%)
and government agencies (33%). Larger organizations (100 or more employees) were also more
likely to report using E-Verify than organizations with fewer than 100 employees. Of those
organizations that do use E-Verify, 38% participated on a voluntary basis, whereas 36% are fulfilling
their requirement as a federal contractor.
• How long have employers participated in E-Verify, and how long does it take to implement
the program? Almost half (48%) of respondent organizations have participated in E-Verify for more
than three years, and 51% indicated that it takes one week or less to implement the program.
Organizations with 500 or more employees reported implementation of E-Verify took longer than
smaller employers.
SHRM Survey Findings: Employment Verification ©SHRM 2014 3
Key Findings

4. • What challenges do organizations encounter with the E-Verify process? For those
organizations that currently use E-Verify, almost half (47%) reported experiencing no challenges
with the E-Verify process. Among those organizations that have experienced challenges, the most
commonly identified issues include the fact that it does not replace the Form I-9 process (23%), the
process for resolving tentative non-confirmations is unclear (19%), and issues with the authenticity
of documents presented by employees (13%). Government agencies (29%) are were more likely
than privately owned for-profits (5%) to agree that balancing Form I-9 compliance with concerns
about discrimination and unfair immigration-related employment practices is a challenge.
• Why do employers opt out of E-Verify? Nearly half (45%) of organizations that do not participate
in E-Verify indicated the reason for their lack of participation is the fact that E-Verify does not
eliminate the requirement to complete Form I-9; another 34% do not participate because they are
not familiar with the program.
• Support for a mandatory electronic verification system. More than four fifths (83%) of
organizations support a mandatory electronic verification system. Furthermore, a vast majority of
employers (96%) would support a mandatory electronic verification system if it included strong safe
harbor to protect employers. Organizations would also like this system to help avoid allegations of
employment-based discrimination (96%), authenticate identity (94%), provide a relatively brief
period to resolve disputed work authorization cases (93%), or eliminate Form I-9 (92%).
SHRM Survey Findings: Employment Verification ©SHRM 2014 4
Key Findings

5. • More than two in five organizations do not participate in E-Verify, the federal online platform that
uses I-9 information to confirm employment eligibility. However, more than one third of those
organizations are simply not familiar with the service, and a vast majority of HR professionals
overall support mandatory electronic employment verification. By investing more time in learning
about the E-Verify service, or exploring other means of improving their employment verification
processes HR professionals can help ensure their organization’s compliance.
• About one half of HR professionals who do participate in E-Verify said it took one week or less to
implement the system. However, over one quarter said the implementation process took a month or
longer, and in some cases, several months. If an organization decides to participate in the E-Verify
service, it may be beneficial to devote specific staff, if only for a short period of time, to handle the
E-Verify process.
• Many criticisms of the E-Verify process are centered on the fact that, while it does match up U.S.
Social Security data with applicants’ information, it does not guard against the fact that the applicant
may be using stolen or borrowed documents, or is perhaps not being truthful with their information.
Knowing that, HR professionals will need to employ additional and potentially more stringent
application processes in order to avoid any legal violations.
SHRM Survey Findings: Employment Verification ©SHRM 2014 5
What Do These Findings Mean for the HR Profession?

6. What challenges does your organization currently encounter with the
Form I-9 verification process?
SHRM Survey Findings: Employment Verification ©SHRM 2014 6
Note: Percentages do not equal 100% due to multiple response options.
44%
34%
18%
11%
10%
6%
6%
8%
40%
31%
28%
10%
10%
17%
8%
4%
No challenges
Maintaining records when keeping track of documents with an
expiration date
Authenticity of documents presented by employees
Balancing Form I-9 compliance with concerns about discrimination
and unfair immigration-related employment practices
Situations that do not fall within the Form I-9 instructions and
handbook
Variety of documents employees are able to present is too large
Regulations and Form I-9 process are unclear
Other
2014 (n = 601)
2006 (n = 486)

7. What challenges does your organization currently encounter with the
Form I-9 verification process?
SHRM Survey Findings: Employment Verification ©SHRM 2014 7
Note: Only statistically significant differences are shown.
Comparisons by organization staff size
1 to 99 employees (32%) >
100 to 499 employees (30%)
500 to 2,499 employees (18%)
2,500 to 24,999 employees (12%)
Comparisons by organization staff size
• Organizations with 1-99 employees were more likely than organizations with 100 or more employees to agree that
they encountered no challenges with the Form 1-9 process.
• Organizations with 2,500-14,999 and 100-499 employees were more likely than organizations with 1-99 employees
to report situations that do not fall within the Form I-9 instructions and handbook as a challenge.
Comparisons by organization staff size
100 to 499 employees (37%)
2,500 to 14,999 employees (32%)
> 1 to 99 employees (5%)

8. SHRM Survey Findings: Employment Verification ©SHRM 2014 8
Has your organization ever been concerned about the authenticity of the
documents presented by employees or authenticity of the identity being
presented by the person seeking employment (either new employees or
current employees providing documents for reverification)?
Yes, 34%
No, 66%
Organizations concerned with the
authenticity of documents presented by
employees
Note: n = 511. Respondents who answered “don’t know” were excluded from this
analysis.
Yes, 24%
No, 76%
Organizations concerned with the
authenticity of the identity being
presented by the person seeking
employment
Note: n = 513 Respondents who answered “don’t know” were excluded from this
analysis.

9. Has your organization ever been concerned about the authenticity of the
documents presented by employees or authenticity of the identity being
presented by the person seeking employment (either new employees or
current employees providing documents for reverification)?
SHRM Survey Findings: Employment Verification ©SHRM 2014 9
Note: Only statistically significant differences are shown.
Comparisons by organization staff size
500 or more employees (47%) > 1 to 499 employees (26%)
Comparisons by organization staff size
• Organizations with 500 or more employees were more likely than organizations with 1-499 employees to express
concern about authenticity of documents presented by employees.
Comparisons by organization staff size
500 employees or more employees (32%) > 1 to 499 employees (18%)
• Organizations with 500 or more employees were more likely than organizations with 1-499 employees to express
concern about authenticity of the identity presented by the person seeking employment.

10. SHRM Survey Findings: Employment Verification ©SHRM 2014 10
Does your organization participate in E-Verify?
Yes, 56%
No, 44%
Note: n = 572. Respondents who answered “don’t know” were excluded from this analysis.

11. Does your organization participate in E-Verify?
SHRM Survey Findings: Employment Verification ©SHRM 2014 11
Note: Only statistically significant differences are shown.
Comparisons by organization staff size
100 to 499 employees (56%)
500 to 2,499 employees (59%)
2,500 to 24,999 employees (72%)
25,000 or more employees (80%)
>
1 to 99 employees (37%)
Comparisons by organization staff size
• Organizations with 100 or more employees were more likely than organizations with 1-99 employees to indicate they
participate in E-Verify.
Comparisons by organization sector
• Publicly owned for-profit organizations were more likely than other organizations to indicate they participate in E-
Verify. Privately owned-for profit organizations were more likely than nonprofits and government agencies to indicate
they participate in E-Verify.
Comparisons by organization sector
Publicly owned for-profit (79%) >
Privately owned for-profit (62%)
Nonprofit (40%)
Government (33%)
Privately owned for-profit (62%) >
Nonprofit (40%)
Government (33%)

12. SHRM Survey Findings: Employment Verification ©SHRM 2014 12
What is the primary reason your organization participates in E-Verify?
My organization
voluntarily participates
38%
We are required to
participate as a
federal contractor
36%
We are required to
participate by state
law
20%
Other
7%
Note: n = 321. Percentages do not equal 100% due to rounding. Only respondents whose organization participates in E-Verify were asked this question.
Respondents who answered “Not sure” were excluded from this analysis.

13. SHRM Survey Findings: Employment Verification ©SHRM 2014 13
How long has your organization participated in E-Verify
(round to the nearest time period)?
Less than
12 months
10%
One to three years
42%
More than three years
48%
Note: n = 308. Only respondents whose organization participates in E-Verify were asked this question.

14. SHRM Survey Findings: Employment Verification ©SHRM 2014 14
How long did it take to implement E-Verify at your organization?
17%
34%
22%
13%
10%
3%
1%
1%
Less than a day
One to 7 days
Eight to 30 days
31 to 90 days
Four to six months
Seven to 12 months
More than a year
Other*
Note: n = 260. *Respondents who answered “don’t know” were excluded from the analysis. Only respondents whose organization participates in E-
Verify were asked this question.

15. How long did it take to implement E-Verify at your organization?
SHRM Survey Findings: Employment Verification ©SHRM 2014 15
Note: Only statistically significant differences are shown.
Comparisons by organization staff size
Less than seven days 1 to 499 employees (71%) > 500 or more employees (29%)
Seven days to six months 500 or more employees (78%) > 1 to 499 employees (23%)
Comparisons by organization staff size
• Organizations with 500 or more employees reported implementation of E-verify taking longer than organizations with
1-499 employees.

16. SHRM Survey Findings: Employment Verification ©SHRM 2014 16
How do you train new E-Verify administrators at your organization?
76%
29%
8%
3%
9%
Online tutorial required by E-Verify
Additional in-person training developed by my
organization
Additional online training developed by my
organization
Additional training delivered off-site
Other
Note: n = 304. Percentages do not equal 100% due to multiple response options. Only respondents whose organization participates in E-Verify were
asked this question.

17. How do you train new E-Verify administrators at your organization?
SHRM Survey Findings: Employment Verification ©SHRM 2014 17
Note: Only statistically significant differences are shown.
Comparisons by organization staff size
Online tutorial required by E-Verify 1 to 499 employees (83%) > 500 or more employees (69%)
Additional online training required
by my organization
500 or more employees (15%) > 1 to 499 employees (3%)
Additional in-person training
required by my organization
500 or more employees (31%) > 1 to 499 employees (20%)
Additional training delivered off-site 500 or more employees (5%) > 1 to 499 employees (1%)
Comparisons by organization staff size
• Organizations with 1-499 employees were more likely than organizations with 500 or more employees to indicate
they use online tutorials to train E-Verify administrators. However, organizations with 500 or more employees were
more likely than organizations with 1-499 employees to use additional training services.

18. How do you train new E-Verify administrators at your organization?
SHRM Survey Findings: Employment Verification ©SHRM 2014 18
Note: Only statistically significant differences are shown.
Comparisons by organization sector
Comparisons by organization sector
Additional training delivered off-site Government (14%) > Publicly owned for-profit (2%)
• Government agencies were more likely than publicly owned for-profit organizations to offer additional training off-site
to new E-Verify administrators.

19. SHRM Survey Findings: Employment Verification ©SHRM 2014 19
What challenges has your organization encountered with the E-Verify
process?
47%
23%
19%
13%
8%
7%
7%
5%
6%
No challenges
Does not replace Form I-9 process
Process for resolving tentative non-confirmations unclear
Authenticity of documents presented by employees
Authenticity of the identity of the person seeking employment
Balancing Form I-9 compliance with concerns about discrimination
and unfair immigration-related employment practices
Variety of documents employees are able to present is too large
Process is too complicated
Other
Note: n = 300. Percentages do not equal 100% due to multiple response options. Only respondents whose organization participates in E-Verify were
asked this question.

20. What challenges has your organization encountered with the E-Verify
process?
SHRM Survey Findings: Employment Verification ©SHRM 2014 20
Note: Only statistically significant differences are shown.
Comparisons by organization staff size
500 or more employees (67%) > 1 to 99 employees (33%)
Comparisons by organization staff size
• Organizations with 500 or more employees were more likely than organizations with 1-99 employees to agree that
the E-Verify process does not replace Form I-9 process.
• Organizations with 500 or more employees were more likely than organizations with 1-99 employees to agree that
process for resolving tentative non-confirmations is unclear.
Comparisons by organization staff size
500 or more employees (71%) > 1 to 99 employees (29%)

21. What challenges has your organization encountered with the E-Verify
process?
SHRM Survey Findings: Employment Verification ©SHRM 2014 21
Comparisons by organization sector
Government (29%) > Privately owned for-profit (5%)
Comparisons by organization sector
• Government organizations were more likely than privately owned for-profit organizations to agree that balancing
Form I-9 compliance with concerns about discrimination and unfair immigration-related employment practices is a
challenge.
Note: Only statistically significant differences are shown.

22. SHRM Survey Findings: Employment Verification ©SHRM 2014 22
What are the reasons your organization does not participate in
E-Verify?
45%
34%
11%
8%
8%
2%
10%
E-Verify doesn’t eliminate requirement to
complete Form I-9
Unfamiliar with program
Inadequate legal safeguards for employers to
participate in program
E-Verify vulnerable to use of identity fraud to
gain employment
E-Verify is not required/not needed
Cost/resource issue
Other
Note: n = 242. Percentages do not equal 100% due to multiple response options.

23. SHRM Survey Findings: Employment Verification ©SHRM 2014 23
Would your organization support a mandatory electronic verification
system?
33%
50%
15%
2%
63%
29%
6%
2%
Strongly support Somewhat support Probably would not support Would not support at all
2014 (n = 557) 2006 (n = 484)

24. SHRM Survey Findings: Employment Verification ©SHRM 2014 24
Would your organization support a mandatory electronic verification
system if it:
71%
71%
66%
60%
57%
25%
25%
28%
32%
36%
4%
4%
5%
6%
6%
1%
2%
1%
Includes strong safe harbor to protect employers
Avoids allegations of employment-based
discrimination
Authenticates identity
Eliminates Form I-9
Provides a relatively brief period to resolve disputed
work authorization cases
Strongly support Somewhat Support Probably would not support Would not support at all
Note: n = 550-557.

25. SHRM Survey Findings: Employment Verification ©SHRM 2014 25
Demographics

26. Demographics: Organization Industry
SHRM Survey Findings: Employment Verification ©SHRM 2014 26
Note: n = 550. Percentages do not equal 100% due to multiple response options.
Percentage
Manufacturing 18%
Health care and social assistance 16%
Professional, scientific and technical services 15%
Other industry 11%
Educational services 8%
Finance and insurance 8%
Transportation and warehousing 8%
Retail trade 6%
Construction 5%
Accommodation and food services 4%
Administrative and support and waste management and remediation services 4%

27. Demographics: Organization Industry (continued)
SHRM Survey Findings: Employment Verification ©SHRM 2014 27
Note: n = 550. Percentages do not equal 100% due to multiple response options.
Percentage
Repair and maintenance 4%
Arts, entertainment and recreation 3%
Utilities 3%
Wholesale trade 3%
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction 3%
Real estate and rental and leasing 2%
Religious, grant-making, civic, professional and similar organizations 2%
Information 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting 1%

28. Demographics: Organization Sector
SHRM Survey Findings: Employment Verification ©SHRM 2014 28
n = 546. Percentages do not equal 100% due to rounding.
50%
23%
17%
9%
2%
Privately owned for-profit
Nonprofit
Publicly owned for-profit
Government
Other

29. Demographics: Organization Staff Size
SHRM Survey Findings: Employment Verification ©SHRM 2014 29
n = 535. Percentages do not equal 100% due to rounding.
23%
31%
23%
18%
6%
1 to 99 employees
100 to 499 employees
500 to 2,499 employees
2,500 to 24,999 employees
25,000 or more employees

30. n = 418.
Demographics: Other
SHRM Survey Findings: Employment Verification ©SHRM 2014 30
Percentages do not equal 100% due to rounding.
U.S.-based operations only 74%
Multinational operations 26%
Single-unit organization: An organization in
which the location and the organization are
one and the same.
32%
Multi-unit organization: An organization that
has more than one location.
68%
Multi-unit headquarters determines HR
policies and practices
53%
Each work location determines HR policies
and practices
3%
A combination of both the work location and
the multi-unit headquarters determines HR
policies and practices
43%
Is your organization a single-unit organization or a
multi-unit organization?
For multi-unit organizations, are HR policies and practices
determined by the multi-unit headquarters, by each work
location or by both?
Does your organization have U.S.-based
operations (business units) only, or does it
operate multinationally?
n = 560.
n = 392.
Corporate (companywide) 64%
Business unit/division 18%
Facility/location 18%
n = 394.
What is the HR department/function for
which you responded throughout this
survey?

31. 31
SHRM Survey Findings: Employment Verification
• Response rate = 12%
• 611 HR professionals from a randomly selected sample of SHRM’s membership participated in this
survey
• Margin of error +/-4%
• Survey fielded February 14-28, 2014
Survey Methodology
SHRM Survey Findings: Employment Verification ©SHRM 2014

32. For more survey/poll findings, visit shrm.org/surveys
For more information about SHRM’s Customized Research Services, visit
shrm.org/customizedresearch
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SHRM Survey Findings: Employment Verification ©SHRM 2014 32
About SHRM Research
Project lead:
Eliza Jacobs, researcher, Workforce Analytics, SHRM Research
Project contributors:
Lynn Chen, Workforce Analytics, SHRM Research
Alexander Alonso, Ph.D., SPHR, vice president, SHRM Research
Evren Esen, director, Survey Programs, SHRM Research
Copy editor:
Katya Scanlan, SHRM Knowledge Center

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SHRM Survey Findings: Employment Verification ©SHRM 2014 33
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