Comments on: Companies put themselves at risk when doing online background checks. http://www.purplecar.net/2009/06/companies-put-themselves-at-risk-when-doing-online-background-checks/ A Taxi Service for Big Ideas. Sat, 11 Feb 2012 01:16:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: employee background check http://www.purplecar.net/2009/06/companies-put-themselves-at-risk-when-doing-online-background-checks/comment-page-1/#comment-1410 employee background check Wed, 26 Aug 2009 19:00:20 +0000 http://www.purplecar.net/2009/06/27/companies-put-themselves-at-risk-when-doing-online-background-checks/#comment-1410 <strong>employee background check...</strong> I have the same opinion as yours on this. What you said is true.... employee background check…

I have the same opinion as yours on this. What you said is true….

]]> By: Christine Cavalier http://www.purplecar.net/2009/06/companies-put-themselves-at-risk-when-doing-online-background-checks/comment-page-1/#comment-1254 Christine Cavalier Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:11:16 +0000 http://www.purplecar.net/2009/06/27/companies-put-themselves-at-risk-when-doing-online-background-checks/#comment-1254 Lisa, you're totally right. Pete BadApple is wrong to assume anything from any online -- or offline, for that matter -- participation in groups. A common name, like Lisa Cunningham, is a bit of a godsend these days. I almost wish there were more than just a handful of Christine Cavaliers, because I share a name with a B-movie/soft porn star (she used "Christine Cavalier" as a stage name). Like I really want employers thinking I'm the same person. Uh, no. (plus she's too old! she has to be at least 20 years older than me!) Here's her imdb page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0146763/ I found nude pictures of this woman on the internet. One guy on Facebook asked me if I was her. It's crazy! The only thing I can do is flood google with internet activity, hoping to cover it up. Who knows? Hopefully when I am a published novelist I can use my real name and the publisher won't give me flack over this. But yes, the medical information issue is murky. My friend has been blogging about her experience at 23andMe, which does personal genetic screenings. I am nervous about a private company holding that much information on me, especially if genetic predispositions of life-altering diseases are found. I'm sure you empathize, being a survivor (congrats on that by the way!). Although it would satisfy a lot of curiosity, I'm not sure the risk is worth it. -PC Lisa, you’re totally right. Pete BadApple is wrong to assume anything from any online — or offline, for that matter — participation in groups.

A common name, like Lisa Cunningham, is a bit of a godsend these days. I almost wish there were more than just a handful of Christine Cavaliers, because I share a name with a B-movie/soft porn star (she used “Christine Cavalier” as a stage name). Like I really want employers thinking I’m the same person. Uh, no. (plus she’s too old! she has to be at least 20 years older than me!) Here’s her imdb page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0146763/ I found nude pictures of this woman on the internet. One guy on Facebook asked me if I was her. It’s crazy!

The only thing I can do is flood google with internet activity, hoping to cover it up. Who knows? Hopefully when I am a published novelist I can use my real name and the publisher won’t give me flack over this.

But yes, the medical information issue is murky. My friend has been blogging about her experience at 23andMe, which does personal genetic screenings. I am nervous about a private company holding that much information on me, especially if genetic predispositions of life-altering diseases are found. I’m sure you empathize, being a survivor (congrats on that by the way!). Although it would satisfy a lot of curiosity, I’m not sure the risk is worth it.

-PC

]]> By: Christine Cavalier http://www.purplecar.net/2009/06/companies-put-themselves-at-risk-when-doing-online-background-checks/comment-page-1/#comment-2221 Christine Cavalier Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:11:00 +0000 http://www.purplecar.net/2009/06/27/companies-put-themselves-at-risk-when-doing-online-background-checks/#comment-2221 Lisa, you're totally right. Pete BadApple is wrong to assume anything from any online -- or offline, for that matter -- participation in groups. A common name, like Lisa Cunningham, is a bit of a godsend these days. I almost wish there were more than just a handful of Christine Cavaliers, because I share a name with a B-movie/soft porn star (she used "Christine Cavalier" as a stage name). Like I really want employers thinking I'm the same person. Uh, no. (plus she's too old! she has to be at least 20 years older than me!) Here's her imdb page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0146763/ I found nude pictures of this woman on the internet. One guy on Facebook asked me if I was her. It's crazy! The only thing I can do is flood google with internet activity, hoping to cover it up. Who knows? Hopefully when I am a published novelist I can use my real name and the publisher won't give me flack over this. But yes, the medical information issue is murky. My friend has been blogging about her experience at 23andMe, which does personal genetic screenings. I am nervous about a private company holding that much information on me, especially if genetic predispositions of life-altering diseases are found. I'm sure you empathize, being a survivor (congrats on that by the way!). Although it would satisfy a lot of curiosity, I'm not sure the risk is worth it. -PC Lisa, you’re totally right. Pete BadApple is wrong to assume anything from any online — or offline, for that matter — participation in groups.

A common name, like Lisa Cunningham, is a bit of a godsend these days. I almost wish there were more than just a handful of Christine Cavaliers, because I share a name with a B-movie/soft porn star (she used “Christine Cavalier” as a stage name). Like I really want employers thinking I’m the same person. Uh, no. (plus she’s too old! she has to be at least 20 years older than me!) Here’s her imdb page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0146763/ I found nude pictures of this woman on the internet. One guy on Facebook asked me if I was her. It’s crazy!

The only thing I can do is flood google with internet activity, hoping to cover it up. Who knows? Hopefully when I am a published novelist I can use my real name and the publisher won’t give me flack over this.

But yes, the medical information issue is murky. My friend has been blogging about her experience at 23andMe, which does personal genetic screenings. I am nervous about a private company holding that much information on me, especially if genetic predispositions of life-altering diseases are found. I’m sure you empathize, being a survivor (congrats on that by the way!). Although it would satisfy a lot of curiosity, I’m not sure the risk is worth it.

-PC

]]> By: Lisa Cunningham http://www.purplecar.net/2009/06/companies-put-themselves-at-risk-when-doing-online-background-checks/comment-page-1/#comment-1251 Lisa Cunningham Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:54:02 +0000 http://www.purplecar.net/2009/06/27/companies-put-themselves-at-risk-when-doing-online-background-checks/#comment-1251 Interesting post, Christine. Employers getting a hold of medical info bothers me, too, since I'm a 19-year cancer survivor. While HR people usually know what they can't ask, your potential boss might not. She might decide to do a more intensive search, especially if she's been burned before. For all Pete knows, Sarah Genius might be very healthy and have no genetic risk of diabetes; it often runs on the mother's side. As for the Google search, my name is so common that there's no telling who might pop up. In Tampa, several other women have my name, and I used to get teased about a younger girl who showed up in the paper, playing pool in a bar. My colleagues knew she wasn't me, but who knows what a stranger who isn't checking birth dates and middle names might assume? Interesting post, Christine. Employers getting a hold of medical info bothers me, too, since I’m a 19-year cancer survivor. While HR people usually know what they can’t ask, your potential boss might not. She might decide to do a more intensive search, especially if she’s been burned before.

For all Pete knows, Sarah Genius might be very healthy and have no genetic risk of diabetes; it often runs on the mother’s side.

As for the Google search, my name is so common that there’s no telling who might pop up. In Tampa, several other women have my name, and I used to get teased about a younger girl who showed up in the paper, playing pool in a bar. My colleagues knew she wasn’t me, but who knows what a stranger who isn’t checking birth dates and middle names might assume?

]]> By: Lisa Cunningham http://www.purplecar.net/2009/06/companies-put-themselves-at-risk-when-doing-online-background-checks/comment-page-1/#comment-2220 Lisa Cunningham Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:54:00 +0000 http://www.purplecar.net/2009/06/27/companies-put-themselves-at-risk-when-doing-online-background-checks/#comment-2220 Interesting post, Christine. Employers getting a hold of medical info bothers me, too, since I'm a 19-year cancer survivor. While HR people usually know what they can't ask, your potential boss might not. She might decide to do a more intensive search, especially if she's been burned before. For all Pete knows, Sarah Genius might be very healthy and have no genetic risk of diabetes; it often runs on the mother's side. As for the Google search, my name is so common that there's no telling who might pop up. In Tampa, several other women have my name, and I used to get teased about a younger girl who showed up in the paper, playing pool in a bar. My colleagues knew she wasn't me, but who knows what a stranger who isn't checking birth dates and middle names might assume? Interesting post, Christine. Employers getting a hold of medical info bothers me, too, since I’m a 19-year cancer survivor. While HR people usually know what they can’t ask, your potential boss might not. She might decide to do a more intensive search, especially if she’s been burned before.

For all Pete knows, Sarah Genius might be very healthy and have no genetic risk of diabetes; it often runs on the mother’s side.

As for the Google search, my name is so common that there’s no telling who might pop up. In Tampa, several other women have my name, and I used to get teased about a younger girl who showed up in the paper, playing pool in a bar. My colleagues knew she wasn’t me, but who knows what a stranger who isn’t checking birth dates and middle names might assume?

]]> By: Christine Cavalier http://www.purplecar.net/2009/06/companies-put-themselves-at-risk-when-doing-online-background-checks/comment-page-1/#comment-1245 Christine Cavalier Sat, 27 Jun 2009 20:37:50 +0000 http://www.purplecar.net/2009/06/27/companies-put-themselves-at-risk-when-doing-online-background-checks/#comment-1245 Thanks Nancy! Yes, everyone has to be aware of what is legal. There have already been cases about how employees with costly medical conditions weren't hired or fired because the company was concerned with possible future health insurance premiums. Unfortunately, I think we have a lot more lawsuits ahead of us before people get a clue. An online life usually coincides with a person's real life, but as you said, we can't make assumptions based on that. I think we are going to see Pete BadApple researching the entire Genius family tree to see what Sarah Genius's chances are of heart attack, alcoholism, breast cancer, disability, etc., before he sends his hiring recommendation on to his bosses. Not only is it an outrageous attack on privacy, it's probably a waste of time. Statistics and efficiency evaluations on this haven't happened yet, but based on my knowledge of other Return-on-investment time management studies, Pete BadApple's hourly rate won't equal the money saved by "guaranteeing" Sarah Genius's health and ability. It just won't be a statistically sound investment of BigCompany's time. It's best to stick with what Human Resources have done forever, with just perhaps a cursory Google search added (that is taken with a grain of salt). Thanks Nancy! Yes, everyone has to be aware of what is legal. There have already been cases about how employees with costly medical conditions weren’t hired or fired because the company was concerned with possible future health insurance premiums. Unfortunately, I think we have a lot more lawsuits ahead of us before people get a clue. An online life usually coincides with a person’s real life, but as you said, we can’t make assumptions based on that. I think we are going to see Pete BadApple researching the entire Genius family tree to see what Sarah Genius’s chances are of heart attack, alcoholism, breast cancer, disability, etc., before he sends his hiring recommendation on to his bosses. Not only is it an outrageous attack on privacy, it’s probably a waste of time. Statistics and efficiency evaluations on this haven’t happened yet, but based on my knowledge of other Return-on-investment time management studies, Pete BadApple’s hourly rate won’t equal the money saved by “guaranteeing” Sarah Genius’s health and ability. It just won’t be a statistically sound investment of BigCompany’s time. It’s best to stick with what Human Resources have done forever, with just perhaps a cursory Google search added (that is taken with a grain of salt).

]]> By: Christine Cavalier http://www.purplecar.net/2009/06/companies-put-themselves-at-risk-when-doing-online-background-checks/comment-page-1/#comment-2219 Christine Cavalier Sat, 27 Jun 2009 20:37:00 +0000 http://www.purplecar.net/2009/06/27/companies-put-themselves-at-risk-when-doing-online-background-checks/#comment-2219 Thanks Nancy! Yes, everyone has to be aware of what is legal. There have already been cases about how employees with costly medical conditions weren't hired or fired because the company was concerned with possible future health insurance premiums. Unfortunately, I think we have a lot more lawsuits ahead of us before people get a clue. An online life usually coincides with a person's real life, but as you said, we can't make assumptions based on that. I think we are going to see Pete BadApple researching the entire Genius family tree to see what Sarah Genius's chances are of heart attack, alcoholism, breast cancer, disability, etc., before he sends his hiring recommendation on to his bosses. Not only is it an outrageous attack on privacy, it's probably a waste of time. Statistics and efficiency evaluations on this haven't happened yet, but based on my knowledge of other Return-on-investment time management studies, Pete BadApple's hourly rate won't equal the money saved by "guaranteeing" Sarah Genius's health and ability. It just won't be a statistically sound investment of BigCompany's time. It's best to stick with what Human Resources have done forever, with just perhaps a cursory Google search added (that is taken with a grain of salt). Thanks Nancy! Yes, everyone has to be aware of what is legal. There have already been cases about how employees with costly medical conditions weren’t hired or fired because the company was concerned with possible future health insurance premiums. Unfortunately, I think we have a lot more lawsuits ahead of us before people get a clue. An online life usually coincides with a person’s real life, but as you said, we can’t make assumptions based on that. I think we are going to see Pete BadApple researching the entire Genius family tree to see what Sarah Genius’s chances are of heart attack, alcoholism, breast cancer, disability, etc., before he sends his hiring recommendation on to his bosses. Not only is it an outrageous attack on privacy, it’s probably a waste of time. Statistics and efficiency evaluations on this haven’t happened yet, but based on my knowledge of other Return-on-investment time management studies, Pete BadApple’s hourly rate won’t equal the money saved by “guaranteeing” Sarah Genius’s health and ability. It just won’t be a statistically sound investment of BigCompany’s time. It’s best to stick with what Human Resources have done forever, with just perhaps a cursory Google search added (that is taken with a grain of salt).

]]> By: Nancy Creighton, PurpleSwirl http://www.purplecar.net/2009/06/companies-put-themselves-at-risk-when-doing-online-background-checks/comment-page-1/#comment-1244 Nancy Creighton, PurpleSwirl Sat, 27 Jun 2009 19:40:09 +0000 http://www.purplecar.net/2009/06/27/companies-put-themselves-at-risk-when-doing-online-background-checks/#comment-1244 Good post, Christine! I had no idea that so much public information could lead to having wrong ideas about a person. For example, Pete BadApple assumes Sarah Genius has diabetes based on her group membership. But instead, she might be a member because her mother was just diagnosed and she wants to learn more. I guess even the lowliest people on the human resources totem poles need to be well trained to keep their employer out of legal trouble. Good post, Christine! I had no idea that so much public information could lead to having wrong ideas about a person. For example, Pete BadApple assumes Sarah Genius has diabetes based on her group membership. But instead, she might be a member because her mother was just diagnosed and she wants to learn more. I guess even the lowliest people on the human resources totem poles need to be well trained to keep their employer out of legal trouble.

]]> By: Nancy Creighton, PurpleSwirl http://www.purplecar.net/2009/06/companies-put-themselves-at-risk-when-doing-online-background-checks/comment-page-1/#comment-2218 Nancy Creighton, PurpleSwirl Sat, 27 Jun 2009 19:40:00 +0000 http://www.purplecar.net/2009/06/27/companies-put-themselves-at-risk-when-doing-online-background-checks/#comment-2218 Good post, Christine! I had no idea that so much public information could lead to having wrong ideas about a person. For example, Pete BadApple assumes Sarah Genius has diabetes based on her group membership. But instead, she might be a member because her mother was just diagnosed and she wants to learn more. I guess even the lowliest people on the human resources totem poles need to be well trained to keep their employer out of legal trouble. Good post, Christine! I had no idea that so much public information could lead to having wrong ideas about a person. For example, Pete BadApple assumes Sarah Genius has diabetes based on her group membership. But instead, she might be a member because her mother was just diagnosed and she wants to learn more. I guess even the lowliest people on the human resources totem poles need to be well trained to keep their employer out of legal trouble.

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