Employers are going overboard...

I decided to apply for a job. With the exception of working for the state of Tennessee for less than two years and for the National Bank of Alaska for less than two years, I have been self-employed almost all of my adult life. I have done just about anything and everything that is legal to make money. With the economy appearing to be approaching a difficult period, I thought I had better start looking for a job now before so many others have to search.

I applied for a position with a HVAC contractor. The ad asked that a resume be mailed in or delivered to the office. When I arrived, I was also given an application to fill out. Since I lived nearby, I went home for lunch and filled it out. When I returned with my resume and my application, I was given a paper to sign that authorized the company to hire a investigator to verify my information. But that is not all. This is the paper that I was asked to sign.

In connection with my application for employment with ______Company, I understand the company may now or at any time while I am employed, conduct an investigative consumer report containing information on my character, general reputation, personal characteristics, or mode of living. I hereby release my employer and ______Investigative Research, Inc., their officers, employees, and agents, from any liability and responsibility arising from the preparation of said report or investigations relating thereto. I am aware I have a right to request from ________Investigative Research, Inc., the nature and scope of the investigative report.

This authorization for release of information includes, but is not limited to, matters of opinion relating to my character, ability, reputation, and past conduct. I authorize and request all persons, schools, businesses, corporations, credit bureaus, and law enforcement agencies to release such information without restriction of qualification. I understand checking the credit bureau will post an inquiry to my Trans Union Peer report. I authorize the release of a copy of my mortor vehicle records.

I voluntarily waive all recourse and release them from liability for complying with this authorization. I understand that a Photostat copy of this authorization will be considered effective and as valid as any original.

Required data is then requested for identification purposes.

I was shocked at such a broad scope of an employee investigation, the invasiveness and the subjectiveness of some of the character traits that could be used to determine whether I could be a good employee. What purpose do they need to know my mode of living?

I told the receptionist that I would never sign such an encompassing authorization. She replied that everyone who worked there had to sign it. She asked what the problem was. I wanted to tell her that I live under a bridge and that they might use that to fire me if I came in with a speck of dirt on me. Or I wanted to say that I don't live by breathing the same air as other people and I just suck the living breath out of others. It was all I could do to be calm. I just told her that I never, ever would want to work for someone who paid me by the hour, but who thought they could have control over my behaviour outside of work. I don't want to work for someone who has this lack of confidence in their ability to hire the right person based on ordinary research and references. I also wonder about working with other people there and their judgement if they have given the employer so much latitude in invading their private lives. What bothers me the most is I believe this mode of living is probably a characteristic that invites discrimination.

Don't get me wrong. I have hired many employees and I know there are many things an employer needs to know about an employee based on the type of position being filled. However, this one is too much. I wish everyone had the privilege of walking away from this type of job. Employees need to take a stand. I wish I was already working there and they came around asking that I sign this paper. I would see them in court.

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