With California gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman getting called to the carpet for employing an undocumented domestic worker, we’ve been getting lots of calls from household employers wondering how they can avoid similar legal problems.

The answer is Form I-9, which is used to verify worker eligibility.  Employers are required to examine the worker’s documents and have her complete the form.  The completed form is not submitted to the government, but the employer must keep it on file.  If there’s ever a question about her work status, that’s your ticket.