SS # Disclosure 7

[NCAASwimmer]

I am confused. Is it right not to disclose your ss# on a employee application prior to an interview or a job offer? According to Federal Law it is voluntary. I have never had an application ask for my ss#. Up until now the only time I needed to write my SS# was after I was hired. I was born in the US, have never had debts/loans and I actually own 'everything' I have accumulated in my short life (thank you employer salary ). Most of us are taught growing up not to 'jump off a bridge just because someone is doing it' (some listen and apply it). Just because a college teammate or dorm mate you just met and have to be around for 4 years smokes cigarettes, doesn't mean you have to do it to fit in and have a good 4 years around them in the frat house or on the team. With all the types of employers that have employees (techs to managers) losing data and electronic equipment it doesn't seem that secure to become careless with your private data, freely handing out information to a company that has not offered you a position. HR may may not be aware, engineering departments have projects where they can't disclose certain company information to people on the project or in forms and reports. Thank you for your help.

 

[KENAT]

As I understand it, yes it's voluntary.

However, if you fail to provided it the potential employer can choose to reject your application on those grounds.

You can't be forced to give it out but you can face consequences for not doing so.

KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...

 

[Gymmeh]

I have been asked for it while applying for an apartment, I told them nicely that there are many other apts I can spend my money on that don’t require my ss# and I assure you as Mechanical engineer I can manage the rent and have never missed a payment. The guy did end up calling my boss and asking if I was really an engineer.

I guess, it comes down to how much leverage do you have? If you really want the job/ the jobs a perfect fit...its probably worth it. You can at lest ask them what they need it for, if its required and if they will shread it when they are done. If you dont like their answer, be prepared to walk.

 

[ctopher]

At my current job, I did not disclose my SSN. I told them if hired, I will contact HR and work with them on it. I was told that it showed I am security conscious and they liked that.

Chris
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 08 1.1
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 10-07-07)
ctopher's blog

 

[IRstuff]

It's voluntary until it's not.

We recently got new medical insurance cards with an alias number instead of SSN, but my security clearance application REQUIRED SSN!!!

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[Heckler]

I would never disclose my SSN# on an employment application. I question anyone that asks for my SSN# even at the doctors office.....The last time a doctors office asked for it.....I refused. I went through identity theft and it took me three years to clean up the mess.....

Heckler
Sr. Mechanical Engineer
SWx 2007 SP 4.0 & Pro/E 2001
o
_`\(,_
(_)/ (_)

This post contains no political overtones or undertones for that matter and in no way represents the poster's political agenda.

 

[zdas04]

WHAT HORSE DROPPINGS. The employer is required by law to remit something over 7% of your salary to the Social Security Administration into your account and then match it with their own money. If the guys above didn't disclose it to their employer, then someone could be going to jail for non-compliance. The only place outside the government where you have to disclose your SSN is to your employer.

If you want to delay that disclosure until after you are hired, then you certainly have that right, BUT that move is guaranteed to raise a fair number of red flags and I sure wouldn't hire you.

David

 

[ctopher]

David,
I was hired, SSN was required. It is NOT required to hire. It is only needed AFTER hired.

Chris
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 08 1.1
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 10-07-07)
ctopher's blog

 

[melone]

Why should a SSN be required to be considered for a job? Is this a way of estimating citizenship?

Obviously, once you have accepted the job, there are tax laws that would probably require your SSN. It just seems too early in the process to be giving out that type of information.

 

[IRstuff]

It's just a bureaucratic thing, just like my doctor's office wanting my SSN, even though they never used and can't use for anything. I leave it blank, and no one even notices.

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[KENAT]

zdas04, not quite the same but many (most?) people opt for direct checking.

To do this the employer needs your bank details.

Is it reasonable for them to ask for this at the interview stage?

Would you provide it?

Ok so not quite the law angle but none the less...

KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...

 

[NCAASwimmer]

Chris,
Did you speak-up or did you wait until HR said something about not havng it filled in?

David,
You are referring to the Federal W-2 form, for Employee With-Holding Allowances. Even the W-2 has writing about the Federal Law I mentioned. As Ctopher stated, in my limited experience I have received federal forms after an offer has been extended to me and after I accepted. I have been in offices (military companies too) that 'shuttle' your application papers to different people around the building to managers, secretaries and other types of workers.

 

[NCAASwimmer]

Kenat,
The direct checking (and lets include 401k, stocks) is also after the offer and acceptance. From my short and limited experience .

 

[ctopher]

NCAASwimmer,
I left the SSN line blank. They told me they needed it to finalize the hiring process. I told them it is not needed unless they hire me...they called me and I explained that I do not give personal info to anyone that calls me. I said that if I'm hired, send me the official paperwork and I will send it back and call them with the SSN. They understood and agreed.

Chris
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 08 1.1
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 10-07-07)
ctopher's blog

 

[zdas04]

KENAT,
Deposits with the Social Security Administration have nothing to do with whether you get a check or direct deposit. There is always an item on your check stub called "FICA" that represents a deposit into the Social Security Administration into the account with an account number that is your SSN.

NCAASwimmer,
No, I'm not talking about W-2 or W-4 forms. There is an Employer report (I don't remember the IRS form number, I don't have employees so I don't have to fill it out) that the government is really insistent about getting every month that lists the employees, their SSN's, their gross pay for the period, the amount of employee contribution to FICA, and the employers contribution to FICA. If the employer doesn't send it in on time the IRS gets really cranky.

All,
As I said in my first post, there is no legal obligation to provide your SSN in the original interview/application process, but I would see refusing to provide it as an indication that the applicant is hiding something that might easily be germane to their being an effective employee and I wouldn't consider an applicant who came with that much baggage unless there were compelling reasons (e.g., an experienced person who's work product I might be able to evaluate from their published work). Someone with less than 10 years experience who refused to provide their SSN on an application wouldn't get an interview from me.

David

 

[YoungTurk]

My employer performed a credit check, and, I believe, a background check before offering the position. I'm not positive, but I believe they needed the SSN to do so.

Besides, would you really want to work for someone you can't trust with your personal information? They'll have it after they hire you regardless. That being said, I do not list my SSN on my resume (that might be ludicrous), but I was asked to fill out appropriate paperwork at the interview.

 

[TenPenny]

I have never known any employer who asked for this information until an offer was made and accepted.

Like many things that employers ask for, there is no reason to need this information until after an employee is hired; in fact, by asking for this at the application stage, the employer is adding a burden of security to their own procedures, since the employer is now expected to treat all applications as sensitive documents.

Sure, by not providing it, you might flag yourself as 'not a team player', but, by asking for it, the employer is flagging themselves as rather disorganized and lacking in knowledge about information security.

 

[JMirisola]

As part of the hiring process for my last two jobs, a credit check and background check were required. These two checks require your SSN, which is probably why you were asked for it. Unless you're told that said checks are part of the process, I wouldn't cough up your SSN.



Jeff Mirisola, CSWP
Certified DriveWorks AE

http://designsmarter.typepad.com/jeffs_blog

Dell M90, Core2 Duo
4GB RAM
Nvidia 3500M

 

[ewh]

I agree that giving it before actually hired should not be a requirement. In todays environment, it may actually be a mistake due to identity theft. As in Hecklers case, once bitten, twice shy. Of course, after being hired, it is required, and I see no problem with that. That is when the company needs it for various governmental requirements, not before. As far as needing it for background checks, I have seen companies extend employment offers without requiring the number, but the applicant was probationary and the offers were always subject to revocation depending on the background check results when they did get the numbers.

 

[Senselessticker]

I would be hestitant to work anywhere that did not run credit checks and criminal background checks prior to hiring someone. They need your SSN to run your credit and to check to see if you are a felon.