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How Far Should a Job Screening Go?

Posted by Cliff on from the where-would-you-draw-the-lnie dept.

SlashSquatch asks: "My sister is getting screened for a programming position with a financial firm. I was alarmed to hear she'll be getting fingerprinted at the Sheriff's Office as part of the screening process. Instantly I conjure up scenes of frame-ups and corporate scandals. I want to know, should this raise a flag? Would you submit to fingerprinting, blood tests and who knows what else (financial, genetic code, and so forth) for a programming position?"

3 of 675 comments (clear)

  1. Hyperbolize... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Troll

    much!?

  2. Re:Bipolar in Seattle by Red+Flayer · · Score: 0, Troll

    Define mentally stable? George Bush apparently fits that bill as does Jerry Falwell.
    If by "stable" you mean with no change in mental state... ever... then you may be right.

    As for GWB, mental stability does not automatically confer competence -- though a lack of mental stability may mean an increased chance of incompetence.
    --
    "Trolls they were, but filled with the evil will of their master: a fell race..." -- J.R.R. Tolkien on Olog-hai
  3. Re:if it requires latex gloves by L0rdJedi · · Score: 0, Troll

    You might see a parallel in the questions that a company is and isn't allowed to ask in a job interview (because of anti-discrimination legislation). For example, a potential employer isn't allowed to ask a female candidate if she is pregnant or may become pregnant, because it's to the company's advantage to not have to allow an employee to go on maternity leave. By not allowing anyone to ask that question, the incentive to realize some sort of advantage by not hiring that woman is removed, because everyone is subject to the same law.

    Except that in that case, they can just make the assumption that she will at some point get pregnant (especially if she's wearing a wedding ring). If the potential employer has to choose between the male and female and they're otherwise equal, they'll just go with the male. Even better if he's not wearing a wedding ring since he'll likely be putting in more hours than someone who's married.

    This is all aside from another question. Why should potential employers be blocked from asking any of these things? Sure, the government can't discriminate, but why shouldn't a private business be allowed to? All they'll be doing, if they do discriminate, is limiting their own employee pool, which will see them out of business in no time.