The incoming administration of President-Elect Obama is exercising unprecedented—and some say unwarranted—scrutiny on job applicants. Individuals applying for jobs in the Obama administration are being asked to complete a seven-page questionnaire that asks a wide variety of questions, covering topics such as personal and professional records, applicants’ families, electronic communications including personal blogs and Facebook pages, and “handles” used on the Internet. The questionnaire also focuses on the applicants’ previous work history including, in particular, whether the applicant has worked for companies implicated in the current economic crisis, such as Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, AIG, and Washington Mutual Bank. The incoming administration’s hiring practices, as evidenced by the questionnaire, underscore that both public and private employers can and often do inquire about a wide range of issues when screening applicants for employment, and serve as a helpful reminder to job-seekers that their personal activities (including Internet use) are not necessarily “private” in the sense that future employers have the right to make it a source of inquiry. For more information on this issue, click here:
