Mike, thank you for sharing your thoughts on this.
Some of yours and Julie's comments have really sparked my interest in the subject matter.

I'll send a note out to a few of my HR friends and ask them what their practices are in their respective companies.

> Don't you think when hiring for a Gov't
> position, certain laws, ethics and morals
> aren't violated??? But when it comes down to
> the average Joe hiring for his Mom & Pop
> operation his hands are effectively tied!

Re the hiring for gov't jobs, I do recall now that I was once told that a thorough check, credit, criminal record, etc. would be done for a contract position that I had applied for with Revenue Canada, same as your IRS. But, this was understandable.

Regards,

Eliz.