From: mgreeny@uxa.ecn.bgu.edu (David S. Greenberg)
Newsgroups: alt.privacy,alt.drugs,misc.jobs.misc
Subject: Re: Job ad from Computerworld - want SSN/drug test
Date: 21 Jan 1993 22:11:25 -0600
Organization: Greeny's Bar & Grill
NNTP-Posting-Host: uxa.ecn.bgu.edu

David B. Horvath, CDP <MBADBH@rohvm1.rohmhaas.com> writes:

>I saw the included ad in Computerworld January 18, 1993, page
>85 - the Computer Careers section.  They want your SSN before
>they even talk to you.  What for?

Gotta love this... just the other day I had a savings/loan ask me for my
SSN so they could run a credit check *PRIOR* to opening the account
(this despite the fact that I was going to deposit CASH to open the damn
checking account with....)...

Needless to say, I refused to provide it to them -- even gave their VP a
good earful of how stupid his bank's policy was -- his response was that
they had the policy because this is a college town -- I hung up on the
jerk at that point -- I really hate hearing that reason...

However, this rambling goes somewhere ;-)  While the bank had the right
to ask me for the SSN, I didn't have to provide it, and they didn't have
to provide me with services, however, the South Florida Water Management
district being a state agency, falls under the auspices of the Privacy
act (1977) which strictly regulates the usage of SSN's by federal and
state and local agencies.  Specifically, they must tell you four things:

1) whether disclosure is voluntary or mandatory
2) if mandatory, what law mandates it
3) what the number will be used for (despite being voluntary or
mandatory)
4) (something else that's escaped the fuzz in my brain...)...

The point is, that instead of providing one's SSN, that one could send
in a resume, with a note asking for the above info before providing the
SSN... If it's voluntary, they have absolutely no right whatsoever to
deny you any services, etc. -- that includes hiring...

Then again, there's always the method of mailing a brick or two to them
-- postage due of course -- saying that providing your SSN is
bullshit...

An employer has no duty to verify your SSN, until you have to fill out
the eligibility for employment form (proving your an American citizen,
or have a "green card")... 

>There is the other issue of drug testing...

>    - David Horvath

>- - - - - - - - - - Begin Included Text - - - - - - - - - - - -
>*Senior Systems Analyst (UNIX)*
>The district seeks a person for this position who has a Bachelor's
>Degree in Computer Science and at least 2 years experience in UNIX
>on Sun workstations, including 2 years systems tuning and system
>administration.  Experience on DEC Ultrix is a plus.
>...

>The District offers competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a
>smoke-free work environment.  After March 1, 1993, all new hires
>will be required to successfully complete a preplacepment drug test.
>For consideration, send your resume, INCLUDING YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY
>NUMBER, to:

>Human Resources Division, Re: CWLS3043, *SOUTH FLORIDA WATER
>MANAGEMENT DISTRICT, 3301  Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach, FL,
>33416

>Equal Opportunity Employer

>- - - - - - - - - - End Included Text - - - - - - - - - - - -

>OBInfo: Text in *'s bold, text ALL CAPS were all caps in ad.
>        Any spelling mistakes were mine.
>OBDisclaimer: I don't work for them or Computerworld, I just
>        check out the ads.  I wouldn't work for SFWMD.
-- 
Microcomputer Support Specialist, Student Residential Programs
Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL  61455
Internet: mgreeny@uxa.ecn.bgu.edu (preferred) GEnie: GREENY (once a month)
AOL: GREENY1@AOL.COM (really infrequently....use the internet!)
Newsgroups: alt.privacy