Background Checks for Employment

Here’s a little change of pace and back on our privacy topic.  I was recently filling out my application for an internship this summer and came across the paper that I had to sign agreeing to a background check before I was to be employed.  Well being in this class I decided to finally read what this background check completely entails even though I knew I had nothing to hide.  I was just wondering what all information is pried before they decide to hire you.  Here’s a short list that I found online:

• Driving records
• Vehicle registration
• Credit records
• Criminal records
• Social Security no.
• Education records
• Court records
• Workers’ compensation
• Bankruptcy
• Character references
• Neighbor interviews
• Medical records
• Property ownership
• Military records
• State licensing records
• Drug test records
• Past employers
• Personal references
• Incarceration records
• Sex offender lists

Well most of the things on here make sense to go through and check/reference before hiring someone.  Being in my situation and applying for an internship position I didn’t understand why some of these checks had to be made.  Like I said before, I have nothing to hide but for instance why should my medical records be any sort of thing I could be “accidently” discriminated over.  I’ve had quite the medical past and don’t understand why a company I’m trying to receive an internship with needs to know.  Another example was the check they do on your credit records.  What should my credit have to do with how fit I am for the position and safe to hire.  I understand this is something a landlord or bank needs to know before giving a loan but why should a company have this information and be something that you could be discriminated over therefore hiring someone with equal job skill and great credit.

I believe certain things like the ones mentioned about shouldn’t be sought out so that they couldn’t be used as “accidental” discrimination when hiring. What does everyone else think about this topic? Is everything on the list valid and should be known before hiring you?