RE: Technical author leading resistance to background checks at NASA

[m d <iowa_tech_writer -at- hotmail -dot- com>]

This pedantic, pseudo-intellectual discussion really has little to do with tech writing, and only reinforces the stereotype that those who work in the tech industry are socially inept and unpleasant to deal with.
 
> From: Gause_Brian -at- emc -dot- com> Subject: RE: Technical author leading resistance to background checks at NASA> Date: Wed, 5 Sep 2007 17:00:15 -0400> To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> > > This is outrageous. > > I think the US Courts will find that NASA, or any employer, cannot> request background checks of existing employees without prior evidence,> or even suspicion, of wrongdoing. I would be surprised to see this> withstand the legal challenges, at least in its current form. As far as> I understand California law, "To insist on drug testing an employee, an> employer must show a justification that outweighs the employee's right> to privacy, such as reasonable suspicion of drug use." In many other> instances, especially here in California, employers cannot check> 'current employees' without suspicion.> > Just what exactly is the legal motivation for these checks? So these> employees can keep their jobs and NASA can feel safe because they> believe, erroneously, that the credit rating and sexual proclivities of> employees indicates future job performance? I don't think this is> sufficient or necessary to countermand our 14th amendment right to> privacy, and our 4th amendment protection against unlawful search and> seizure. NASA and JPL may find it diifficult to run background checks on> current employees...at least I hope so.> > And for anyone who's ever made a mistake, either legal, financial or> sexual, what of these people? So you're not going to get that job at> NASA because someone stole your credit card, ran up some debt, and now> you're fighting to fix your credit...after 3 years. And this is just one> example.> > My biggest surprise is how easily the members of this group right off> their own privacy concerns in the wake of 9/11 fears. All these posts> and not one of you thinks this is outrageous? Have you guys actually> read your US Constitution?> > Now I'm depressed...> > Brian Gause> > > > -----Original Message-----> From: techwr-l-bounces+gause_brian=emc -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+gause_brian=emc -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On> Behalf Of Melissa Nelson> Sent: Wednesday, September 05, 2007 1:13 PM> To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> Subject: RE: Technical author leading resistance to background checks at> NASA> > I was actually surprised to find out that NASA has TW jobs that are do> not > require a security clearance. I live in the DC area and it can be a bit > tough to find a tech writer job that does not require a clearance.> > Melissa> 
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