A nation of snoops? The background check fetish

[PissedOffPollyana]

In the past weeks, I have been looking for a new job and have been struck by the forms I have been required to sign to even be considered. Mind you, I am not talking about anything involving security, banking or anything of the kind. I am a designer, so there is not exactly anything sensitive I'll be dealing with.

One form references the "background checks" that may be included as part of the hiring decisions.
"I understand that this Report will include information as to my character, general reputation, personal characteristics, mode of living, work habits, performance, experience..."

Mode of living? Can anyone tell me what THAT is supposed to mean and what that would have to do with whether I should be able to assist people in the design of their homes? Or are these forms simply designed to make applicants feel intimidated and apt to agree with just about anything to keep their potential employer from digging further into their personal records?

As I became more concerned with the notion of every credit, personal and unrelated-to-the-workplace record in the hands of people I don't know, I started to feel quite violated. Funny, I have nothing that would be considered bad in there, unless you count a bankrupcy after an ugly divorce, but yet I feel paranoid. Hell, I didn't even have the almost standard childhood shoplifting; not that I didn't get caught, just never thought it right so never did it. Why am I made to feel like a criminal, simply for wanting to work somewhere?

As I looked about, there are thousands of companies who will give you any info you want on anybody for a staggeringly low price. Most of these companies scare the beejeezus out of the viewer by convincing them that it is the only way to have a "safe" workplace. Consequently, more & more companies are requiring such intrusion as a condition to apply. Hell, I have had friends need to be subjected to these "checks" for BS part time seasonal jobs at a crappy retail store, where all they will do is stock shelves or chat with customers.

Aren't we getting out of control with our "security" binge? Is this what we have become, a nation of suspicious, scared snoops?

Sorry to be so long-winded, just had to get it off my chest...

[mhr]

1. Fear Is One Tool Corporations Use To Control The Multitudes

All the mechanisms you cite are part of the fear control apparatus.

[Ilsa]

2. Starting next year (I think) in Texas,

those of us renewing our nurses licenses (no matter how long we've been a nurse) have to pay a $25 fee for a FBI background check. New nurses that are applying for their licenses have to do the same, or it might even be more expensive.

I also think if they are going to do that, they should extend the licensing period to every three or four years instead of the current two.

I hate this. I think it could be avoided if employers did their proper due diligence in hiring.