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I've found that when managers are ignorant about technology they often pretend that they understand. Chris Kukulski, Bozeman City Manager, seems to be one of those. Yet he says, "Integrity, leadership, service, and teamwork are the core values of our organization..."

Although he has stopped asking for passwords, there is no evidence that he actually understands, because the story says this: "... although the city will stop asking for passwords Kukulski says the passwords already given by previous applicants will remain the confidential property of the city." That's a surprisingly ignorant position to take, since site owners can change their passwords at any time.

Some people can see that technology is re-shaping our world in an exciting way and want to be part of that, but they don't want to do the work of actually understanding how and why.

It would be interesting if someone would collect all the Slashdot stories about managers pretending they understand the more complicated world surrounding technology, but actually being very ignorant. For example, yesterday there was this story about a university needlessly losing money: IT: Univ. of Wisconsin's 30-Year-Old Payroll System Needs a $40 Million Fix.

So everyone should email them and let them know how asking for account credentials is incredibly ignorant and probably illegal. Try the two HR people, http://www.bozeman.net/bozeman/humanResource/contacts.aspx and lawyers http://www.bozeman.net/bozeman/legal/Default.aspx . Perhaps also cc the news site that is covering this: http://montanasnewsstation.com/Global/story.asp?S=1740803&nav=menu227_1_3_7 . They either need to be educated or shamed into realizing that this is way out of line.

So everyone should email them and let them know how asking for account credentials is incredibly ignorant and probably illegal. Try the two HR people, http://www.bozeman.net/bozeman/humanResource/contacts.aspx and lawyers http://www.bozeman.net/bozeman/legal/Default.aspx . Perhaps also cc the news site that is covering this: http://montanasnewsstation.com/Global/story.asp?S=1740803&nav=menu227_1_3_7 . They either need to be educated or shamed into realizing that this is way out of line.

They did not provide a reference to this "component of the city's background check policy" anywhere. There's nothing here to say a password is required.

Also, for future reference:

Comment 99 from http://www.boingboing.net/2009/06/17/city-in-montana-requ.html#comments

Actual Waiver form including the request for username and passwords:
http://www.bozeman.net/bozeman/humanResource/forms/Background_Check_Form_Interview_MASTER.pdf

They have an equally idiotic internet usage policy... http://www.bozeman.net/bozeman/humanResource/employment policy/Admin__Order_IT_Use_Policy_6_2007.pdf

Its on the Background check form.

So, surely the approach to take is create several accounts on 'questionable' services. Use false names. Or at least names that you can't call your own, say, the name of the person interviewing you.

Then publish the fact that, that person is surfing for those questionable sites at work. Job done.

#DuuuushbagSlam.

Maybe you should tell them. www.bozeman.net/ bozeman/ humanResource/ contacts.aspx is their contact page.

Priceless typo on their page "Employment Process Policy" http://www.bozeman.net/bozeman/humanResource/processPolicy.aspx, "Alien Registration Receipt Card (Greed Card)"

Check the form, they really do ask for that. http://www.bozeman.net/bozeman/humanResource/forms/Background_Check_Form_MASTER.pdf or http://www.bozeman.net/bozeman/humanResource/forms/Background_Check_Form_Interview_MASTER.pdf "Please list any and all, past and present, personal or business website or web pages, memberships on any Internet-based chat rooms, social clubs or forums, to include but not limited to: Facebook, Google, Yahoo, YouTube.com, MySpace, etc."

Check the form, they really do ask for that. http://www.bozeman.net/bozeman/humanResource/forms/Background_Check_Form_MASTER.pdf or http://www.bozeman.net/bozeman/humanResource/forms/Background_Check_Form_Interview_MASTER.pdf "Please list any and all, past and present, personal or business website or web pages, memberships on any Internet-based chat rooms, social clubs or forums, to include but not limited to: Facebook, Google, Yahoo, YouTube.com, MySpace, etc."

Its on the Background check form.

Have fun everyone: http://www.bozeman.net/bozeman/humanResource/applications.aspx

I'm don't think they actually ask for passwords. I wish I could see the form.

"Background Check Form"

About 1/2way down the page - website/Domain Username/Member Log-in Password(if aplicable)

This sounds like FUD to me. A quick look at the application for employment doesn't have anything like this on the forms. http://www.bozeman.net/bozeman/humanResource/forms/Application%20for%20Employment.pdf I'm not sure where this news organization gets their info, but that doesn't sound right.