Dear Just Ask Judy: “As a business owner, compliance with laws and regulations is paramount. The thing is, keeping up with the changes can take a lot of work. Is there an easy way to do so?” … Chris from Ohio   Dear Chris from Ohio: Thank you for reaching out with your concern about staying compliant with laws and regulations as a business owner. I completely understand how challenging it can be to keep up with the ever-changing landscape of compliance requirements. To help us navigate your problem, I have invited Karen Connor, the vice president of business development at COATS Staffing Software. As you know, one of the key challenges for recruiters is keeping up with the constantly changing rules and regulations at the state, federal, and local levels. COATS Staffing Software addresses this challenge by providing a comprehensive platform that brings together all critical data in one place. This allows recruiters to have better control over their business and ensures compliance with various laws and regulations. The software starts by assisting recruiters in managing the pre-employment application process. COATS follows the Barriers to Hire rule, which means that certain information, such as date of birth, social security number, and criminal history, cannot be asked during the initial application. Coates' online application form ensures recruiters adhere to these rules and collect only the necessary information. After the initial application, COATS helps recruiters with post-hire paperwork, such as I-9 and W-4 forms. The software integrates with efficient hire, an integrated partner, to manage and track compliance with these forms. This ensures that recruiters ask the right questions and populate the correct forms, reducing non-compliance risk. COATS also offers features to manage contracts and client relationships. The software's customer relationship management (CRM) capabilities allow recruiters to store and manage contracts effectively. This ensures that all contractual obligations are met and helps maintain compliance in client relationships. Overall, COATS Staffing Software simplifies compliance for recruiters by providing a comprehensive platform that manages all critical data and ensures adherence to rules and regulations. By streamlining processes and centralizing information, the software helps recruiters maintain compliance at every stage of the recruitment and hiring process. This reduces the risk of non-compliance and improves efficiency and productivity for staffing agencies. If you have more questions, you can reach out to me or Karen at 800-888-5894 or through her email, kconnor@coatssql.com. You can also visit their website at https://www.coatssql.com/.   Thanks a lot!