Is there anything your employer doesn't have the right to know about you?

[undeterred]

:shrug:

[ncrainbowgrrl]

1. Yeah.

was this in response to something?

[undeterred]

4. job application

now requires complete criminal and driving background check, credit history, employment history, medical exam, educational history, last time you had sex and last bowel movement must be brought in for inspection

[Matariki]

11. Washington state just passed a law disallowing credit checks for job apps

unless it directly apples to the job in some way - and even then they have to prove that it does.

[undeterred]

13. Sounds like a good law.

[Matariki]

23. It is. Write you state representatives and push for a similar law in your state. n/t

[EST]

28. In 1966, I applied for my first job with a large computer company.

Some of the things they had to know were school transcripts and gpa, work history, and there were background checks, including police records, if any. There were other requirements, and since I had to be bondable, the bonding company was pretty thorough, although they hired me before the background checks were complete, on my word.

I needed a job and I had a pretty high gpa, as well as a significant background in engineering and electronics.
I told them I was going to have to find different employment if they didn't get off the stick and make a commitment.
They did and I made them a hell of a lot of money, so the rest, as they say, is history-ancient history, in this case.

[stevedeshazer]

37. bullcrap

You would be much more credible by being honest.

[undeterred]

43. most people are capable of detecting a little sarcasm

sorry you are not

[wicket]

39. "last time you had sex and last bowel movement must be brought in for inspection"

Where is this happening???

[undeterred]

44. No they did not actually ask me that.

But I did once have a blood alcohol taken during the company physical. You'd think they would have done that test at a surprise time, like after a lunch out or something.

[mediawatch]

57. why is this news

My whole career I have been subjected to criminal checks, credit history, employment history, education history, drug testing. I have been finger printed. I have had FBI background checks. I have been bonded. Although no one ever asked me about my last bowel movement or the last time I had sex. Why does this seem to be new to folks?
I remember once asking HR why they did a credit history on me and she told me that they could tell what kind of person I was by how I handled my finances. Didn't makes much sense to me then doesn't now, but I thought it was the norm.

[mediawatch]

58. oh ya

also if I get arrested I have to report it to my employer ASAP

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. Yes

[leftofthedial]

3. most things about me are none of their business

why?

[undeterred]

8. every year the applications are more intrusive

it makes me sick

[Arkansas Granny]

5. The only things my employer has a right to know about me are

the things that would affect my job performance or the business interests of the company. That's why there are laws that determine what information a potential employer can require on an employment application or during a job interview.

[undeterred]

6. how does my credit history affect whether I can

help you with your computer?

[Balbus]

9. Some employers feel that credit is a sign of responsibility.

I'm not saying it's right, I'm not saying it's wrong, I'm just telling you the reason behind it.

[undeterred]

12. So all people who have been through hard times

should never be allowed to work again... that makes sense...because all people with a bad credit history are irresponsible according to the Republican view of social thought.

[Balbus]

25. They can only get the information if you allow it.

Don't want the company with which you're applying to know your credit history? Deny their request. That can't get it without your approval. Well, maybe they can, but it's against the law for them to do so without your approval.

And by all means, if you don't like the questions or the requests for your private information then apply somewhere else. Not all companies are as intrusive with their hiring process as others.

[undeterred]

29. I am pretty much finding the same thing everywhere.

And they pull it out at the last minute. The thing is I work as a contractor and sometimes its not the agency requesting it- its the place they are placing you. I can understand the criminal check and the drug test, no problem. But I think a credit check and anything else is absurd.

[mediawatch]

59. you sign a form

prior to accepting the job. You can't pick and chose. If you deny their request you have just refused the job

[Matariki]

24. Write your reps.

http://www.realtime-itcompliance.com/laws_regulations/2007/05/employee_privacy_new_credit_ch.htm

[Arkansas Granny]

56. The explanation I've heard is that employees who have a lot

of outstanding debt might be tempted to steal from the company in order to pay bills. This is especially true for employees who handle money or write checks.

Good article here on the subject:

http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0118/p01s03-ussc.html

[blueworld]

61. Here's the answer I got - pure holy roller bs

I live in Falwell land. When I first emigrated, I applied for a part-time job, no money handling involved. They gave me 15 (yes, it's true) forms & permission slips to fill out, including permission for credit check & medical records. I refused (I gotta NJ attitude). I asked why the credit check? The bimbo explained to me that if my credit were bad, they couldn't send me to a job handling money because it would be temptation. Huh?

After I recovered consciousness, I pointed out that this was probably a violation of someone's Civil Rights and that Martha Stewart, the Enron boys and others were all indicted or in prison for financial hanky-panky & they all had great credit. If a poor working stiff wants to improve their credit rating, they need a decent job to do it. Then I left & resumed my career as a starving writer.

Here in Falwell land, they ask every illegal question you can think of for darn near every job. Liberty University students aren't allowed to work at Victoria's Secret. It's a nightmare.

[Omphaloskepsis]

7. depends..

If I drive a forklift in a busy whorehouse they should know if I hit the bottle on my lunch break.

If I like to hump people of the same gender.. None of their fucking business.

Shades of gray. And all that.

[undeterred]

10. they use forklifts in whorehouses?

[Demeter]

17. Obesity is THE National Epidemic!

[Omphaloskepsis]

19. The ones I go to..

The spell check suggested whorehouses when I meant warehouse.. I thought it was funny so I went with it.

[KatyaR]

21. See, you DO learn something new on DU every day!

I'm telling you, it's better than the encyclopedia . . . .

:rofl:

[RC]

33. His mind was wondering

:evilgrin:

[undeterred]

34. ...so you're a gay drunk who drives a forklift in a busy whorehouse

DU has truly enriched my life. :grouphug:

[Demeter]

14. Name, Rank, Social Security Number!

[Brigid]

15. I once filled out a job application that asked . . .

and this is no lie -- to list my brothers and sisters and their names and addresses. :wtf:

[Madspirit]

16. In My Opinion

NOTHING about my private life is my business unless it somehow affects my work or their business.
Lee

[JVS]

20. 100% agree

[ProfessorGAC]

26. You Forgot To Use The Word "DIRECTLY"

"As in DIRECTLY affects my work or their business." Not some speculative, might have an impact on business, theoretical abstract. But, provably, measurably and directly affects the business.
The Professor

[Madspirit]

38. Exactly..."DIRECTLY"...n/t

[rasputin1952]

18. I don't think they have any right to know anything about me

that goes beyond my relationship to the job at hand.

I don't think they should ask anything about a personal life, unless they give you the option of searching their backgrounds. How many people would have saved a great deal of heartache if they could have looked into the corporate corruption of Ken Lay and Company.

I am of the mind that I would not ask anything of someone that they could not ask me in return, and expect documentation if requested, as to my records.

[Speck Tater]

22. Number of freckles on my winky-dink. (nt)

[Balbus]

27. Everybody already knows that.

[TahitiNut]

30. Well, apparently they're not allowed to know whether you're an illegal alien or not.

:evilgrin:

Too bad they can't figure that out from a piss test. :grr:

After all, they fire someone for smoking at home but not for being an illegal alien?? On what fucking planet doe THAT make any kind of sense???

[Dastard Stepchild]

31. Many things...

An employer cannot ask you about:
your race or ethnicity, age, gender or gender preference, sexual orientation, birthplace, marital/relationship status, children, medical or psychiatric conditions, disabilities, receipt of government payments (or workers comp, etc), particulars on physical characteristics or physical abilities (except for certain jobs where physical/manual dexterity is required), housing status, financial status (except there does seem to be a proliferation of requesting credit reports, which baffles me), personal affiliations and memberships, arrest record (though you can ask about particular convictions in the general sense - e.g. ever been convicted of theft?), military discharge status...

I think that about covers it.

[TahitiNut]

32. They can't ask about military discharge status?? Since when?

That's not what my D.I. told me. :silly:

FWIW, federal civil service applications require the applicant to disclose both their military background and discharge conditions. It's a federal offense to lie on a civil service application.

[undeterred]

35. request for dob is right there on the background check

so is social security number

[Dastard Stepchild]

41. Many questions are asked...

But you are not required to answer in interview. The background check for certain positions, however, requires this sensitive information. So yes, in that sense, certain job classifications would require you to disclose more information than others.

I do think there is an overproliferation of the use of the background check for jobs that don't necessarily require it. I've always had a hunch that this is because employers just cannot ask much in an interview.

edited for spelling and clarification.

[RC]

36. I had to supply a copy of my DD214

[TahitiNut]

40. Yep. Same here.

:shrug:

[Dastard Stepchild]

42. For a civilian or non-government position?

When attending an HR training, I was informed this was not information that could be asked of applicants.


EDIT:
Hmmmmm... even in my state there appears to be a provision for asking about discharge status. So perhaps we were given information in error (or overly cautious advice):

Exemptions to Civil Rights Violations 775 ILCS 5/2-104

Employer may make decisions based on membership in certain classes under this statute. For example, preference for veterans is allowed and an employer may discriminate based on military discharge status. Discrimination based on age may be permitted for police and firefighters. Discrimination based on citizenship status is permitted if authorized by other state or federal law.

[FreeState]

49. Wrong on Sexual Orientation

They can ask if you are GLB or T and not hire you or can fire you legally if your already hired.

"more than 30 states that do not recognize sexual orientation as a protected class in employment"
http://content.monster.com/articles/3465/18018/1/default.aspx

[Dastard Stepchild]

50. GLBT status is comprised of a very patchwork collection of policies...

It does exist, but in some cases only at the civic or county level. So even in states where there is not a global protection, cities or counties may have protections in place. I included it on the list because in some states, counties and jurisdictions. GLBT status is a protected status, but it is appropriate to add the disclaimer that a significant percentage of the GLBT population in many areas will not be protected as a whole.

[DemGa]

45. I never liked giving bodily fluids for employment

I see it as an intrusion ushered in by Reagan and the "war on drugs." The drug and alcohol lobby is always at work pushing hard for more testing.

See for yourself:

http://www.datia.org/

[undeterred]

46. I usually just say I was a lab technician for the 1st 10 years out of college

I had several different jobs, all at the same University. I am in a different field now, so what does it matter? But there was a human resources interview, within the last 5 years where I had to go over the start and end dates of every single position, plus why I left. I remember this girl asking me what I did during the summer of 1982 and I just wanted to punch her and say "What the hell does this have to do with the job I am applying for now?"

[tammywammy]

47. Well, it's good to remember

You can tell them whatever on why you left. If they call, the only thing a previous employeer can give out is start/end dates and (sometime) whether or not your eligible for rehire...they cannot say you were fired or any reason like that.

[undeterred]

51. If they say not eligible for rehire thats bad though

or don't they even say that?

[tammywammy]

52. I think it depends on who the previous employer is

I never said anything. I've fired my share of employees, but while they may have not been a good fit with me, I didn't want to hurt them further.

A larger company I doubt would say anything.

But then really, I've never had anyone check my previous employers. :shrug: Sorry I couldn't be more help. Good luck in your search.

[undeterred]

53. Well, do you get many calls from these

big anonymous companies that just do background checks? They don't know anyone involved, they're just paid to ask questions and fill out the forms.

[AZBlue]

48. That would depend on what my job is.

[ContraBass Black]

54. Everything but my eligibility, work history, and academic history.

[undeterred]

55. For my last job I had to bring in my BS and my MA

which is pretty interesting because no degree at all was required for the job. My work is in computers and the degrees are in totally unrelated fields. They had already verified the degrees by calling the schools, and I had to go find them in the basement. I've never had anyone ask me to do that before.

And gee, if I couldn't find the Master of Arts in Religious Studies, how would that have affected my performance as a computer technician? Just Human Resouces Bullshit.

[qdemn7]

60. Let's See..

Whether or not I smoke any form of tobacco.

Whether or not I consume alcohol and in whatever quantity.

The state of my finances and credit.

Whether or not I have a Concealed Handgun License.