Notes taken by a supervisor, search committee members, and Human Resources are fair game in any challenge to a hiring decision. HR will also advise on and review interview questions prior to the interviews taking place. Questions need to be job related and non-discriminatory, and should be consistently asked of all candidates. After the interviews, HR assists in checking the top candidate's references. If the references are satisfactory, HR again meets with the supervisor to discuss starting salary and timing issues.
HR performs salary comparisons to ensure internal equity is maintained.
Overall, HR's involvement in the hiring process is a service to hiring supervisors, and helps them hire the best qualified individuals in the spirit of equal opportunity and employment laws. This protects the supervisor from possible accusations of discrimination or unfairness. Perhaps the most important reason for this step is to generate viable written rationale for the College's hiring records on why applicants were considered qualified or not qualified. You must meet with an HR representative to go over the interview results and standing of candidates. Reference checks are critical, and probably the most risky area of employment in terms of the legal environment.