This happens a lot: I apply for a job and they ask for my complete address. Why? I would understand if they just want to know what city/town I’m in: That has bearing on how easily I can get to the office.

But why do they need to know my street address?

The only thing I can think: Indeed/LinkedIn/take-your-pick is building a profile of me based on this info, using my street as a proxy for my income, credit score, or, ultimately, for my social class.

From now on, when they ask me, I’m just going to put a rich person’s address. For this one I used a Brooklyn townhouse where Maggie Gyllenhaal and one of the Saarsgaards lives.

  • Zorsith@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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    8 months ago

    To mail you documents related/associated with your employment? Not really unheard of to receive 401k/insurance/other benefits mail. Also, taxes and tax documents like W2’s

    Potentially background checks? Maybe? Otherwise yeah it’s a bit weird and more information than they really need.

    Overreach in data collection is everywhere these days sadly… far too many things are not properly considered PII (personally identifiable information) even though multiple things in aggregate could completely doxx a person.

    • numberfour002@lemmy.world
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      8 months ago

      Companies aren’t mailing taxes, tax documents, or 401k/insurance/benefits docs to someone just because they applied for a job, though.

    • lightnsfw@reddthat.com
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      8 months ago

      They can get your address after they hire you for that. They don’t need the other 90 applicants addresses.

    • AA5B@lemmy.world
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      8 months ago

      I doubt it’s a background check. Those cost actual money, so why do one before you need to?

      • Zorsith@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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        8 months ago

        Everyone and their mother in entry level job postings I can remember (2016-2020 ish range, so may have changed) had a caveat of passing a background check. This being in a relatively wealthy suburb, too. I imagine there’s some sizeable kickbacks from the companies doing them.

        • AA5B@lemmy.world
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          8 months ago

          Sure, you should assume every employer will do a background before hiring you. They’re cheap.

          But NOT after you apply. They do cost something.

          I was trying to make that distinction