Legal Question in Employment Law in California

Employment Background Checks

When applying for jobs, they are asking for criminal, finger prints, credit checks, lie dector tests, character references from neighbors, and you can't use a PO Box. I want to know (1) why are they asking for all this information (2) at what point can a person draw a line at what to answer and what not to answer (3) why do they need to have my credit history and they have just made themselves available to info that is confidential(4) why can't I use a po box. The reason I have a po box is so that I can keep privacy and have unsolicited mail. I understand criminal and finger print, but why a lie detector? The jobs I am applying for are not high security clearance jobs. They are administrative assistant jobs, last, what don't I have to answer and/or disclose. I feel they are violating my rights. I don't have a criminal background but I am concerned about identity theft.


Asked on 10/04/02, 3:23 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Thomas Pavone Pavone & Cohen

Re: Employment Background Checks

Background information including credit information may be requested by prospective employers. Both California and Federal law prohibit lie detector tests as a condition of employment or of an applicant. As to the post office box, there is no state or federal law that prohibits an employer from requiring such information.

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Answered on 10/04/02, 8:00 pm


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