Reference and Employment Checks -- Are They An Invasion Of Privacy?

[Editor]

Reference and Employment Checks -- Are They An Invasion Of Privacy?

Reprinted from the Ask Allison Column in CareerMagazine at www.careermag.com

Many people wonder how much information they should offer to a prospective
employer, and what they can do to control the involuntary disclosure of
personal information. My first piece of advice is just common sense: job seeker
or not, you always should exercise caution when providing personal information
- after all, you are offering details about your life to virtual strangers!

When does a request for personal information by an employer cross the line from
need-to-know to an invasion of privacy? Guy Fowler, the Director of Marketing
for Documented Reference Check, a California company that checks employee
references for accurate and legal information (www.badreferences.com), has this
advice:

"Employers must exercise due diligence to find out who they are exposing their
company, their employees, and their clients. The answer to when a reference
check crosses the line from need-to-know to invasion-of-privacy varies from
state to state. There is a principle that holds true in all states: (1) The
potential employer has a right to verify if the candidate can fulfill the job
description. (2) The potential employer can access any information as long as
it is considered public record (criminal records; litigation records;
bankruptcy records; property ownership records; etc.). (3) The potential
employer has a duty to verify credentials, licenses, and experience."

Find the full article in CareerMag at
http://www.careermag.com/newsarts/current/dunham.html