Snoop program puts pasts in the present

[carols]

Computer background checks have been credited with identifying job candidates who have a criminal past and failed to disclose it on their applications. ChoicePoint officials say about 9 percent of people who fill out employment applications fail to disclose criminal convictions.

But privacy advocates say the software could be misused and lead to unintended consequences for employees.

The ChoicePoint software is being test-marketed at about 40 Sam's Clubs in 26 cities, including Pinellas Park. The software also is sold in Sam's Clubs in Tampa, Bradenton, Fort Myers, Naples, Orlando and Pensacola, and is available online. ChoicePoint officials say sales have exceeded their expectations.

"Most small businesses fail because of employee theft or employee misconduct," said James Lee, ChoicePoint's chief marketing officer.
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Comment: Can someone please tell me where ChoicePoint gets the idea that most small businesses fail becuase of employee theft or misconduct - especially since, according to the article, only 9% of the people filling out job applications fail to disclose a criminal record?

Carol

[HFishbine]

1. Good Catch

I love it when people catch logic flaws.

Also, wasn't ChoicePoint the company that had 50,000 voters erroneously purged as felons from the Florida voter roles?

[carols]

4. Yup - that is ChoicePoint of the infamous felon purges

Now they are selling "Snoop-in-the-box" products. I think this is positively chilling.
Carol

[rooboy]

2. Look on the bright side...

if this software was being used a few years ago, your president and most of his administration wouldn't have jobs today.

[Pale_Rider]

3. Including that convicted felon that was ...

... CEO of Smith and Wesson.

But seriously, I think it would be wrong to preclude and marginalize people from employment that have done wrong in their past and had fully paid their debts to society.

[Skittles]

5. yes

it's not very Christian not to forgive, ever, huh?

[markus]

6. Well, first there's "time theft"

Which means any moment not spent diligently at work while on the clock. I think that a pretty f---ing scary concept.

Then there's good old "shrinkage", which probably does cost somebody like Wall Mart a lot of money.

But given that Wall Mart exists basically to try and destroy the American middle class, I'm not so sure they don't deserve it.

[leQ]

7. you can check criminal records in iowa online

at Iowa Criminal Records

aren't all states moving in that direction? it'd be interesting to find out what choicepoint offers that isn't on the web.

[Cleita]

8. Maybe there wouldn't be as much employee theft if people

got decent wages, benefits and working conditions. Also, how are people supposed to turn their lives around if they can't get a job because of a police record?

Shouldn't there be some kind of law that prevents discrimination against someone who has served their time if the crimes were non-violent?