Many employers are heavily reliant on employment background checks. Part of the reason is of course the influence of 9/11 but employers are checking much deeper in a prospective employee’s past than whether or not that person belonged to any subversive groups.

For instance, once a prospective employee gives a prospective employer the right to perform a background check, today they will check on much more than the previous job history or their education. The possible employer in addition to these checks, may very well look into such records as court records, military records, medical records, driving records and even the credit history of the prospective employee.

Much of that information is readily available to someone looking for another on the Internet, and many investigative companies do just that, but if an employer wishes an in depth report on a person, then the prospective employee must sign a specific consent form. Delving into medical records, for instance, will require a specific consent form. It is an extremely rare occurrence though for a prospective employee to refuse to sign that form, as unemployment grows lately. Once consent is given to this kind of investigative background check, at times there is a possibility of non-relevant information.

As an American, a prospective employee is protected by the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, a consumer advocacy organization, and of course the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Protection is also available through the Privacy Act of 1974, the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.

Always remember that whatever is posted on the Internet is open to public investigation. Many employers now check the Internet for such things as what is posted on MySpace, for instance. It’s not so much as the possibility of losing privacy that matters, but often it represents a part of our national security. Thus be aware of what your employment background check may reveal, but know that it also protects you and your family.