Ask SCS: What are your thoughts about companies who demand that you give them your SS number, DL number and DOB on a job application? Is the only option to just pass?

Asking for an applicant's date of birth is prohibited. PERIOD. It leaves you wide open for an age discrimination suit. Using a social security number as an employee identifier is illegal. Yes, you can segregate the information request, but I believe you cannot make it mandatory until an offer of employment is made. Driver's License # is not required unless driving is part of the job. All a company has to do is make the offer of employment contingent upon a positive background check and negative drug test if required.

If it is mandatory, you have 3 options. If you were sent by a recruiter, speak to that
person and tell them how uncomfortable you are about providing the information - especially your date of birth. A company should not be asking when you graduated from college, let alone when you were born. If not, then think about the culture of the company that would do things that are illegal or not appropriate. If you are unemployed and receiving unemployment benefits, then talk to someone at that office.

I had one company ask for my date of birth and I explained to them when they were able to ask me for that information. At that point, I knew I could not work for that company. They were either so far behind the times or they didn't care. Either way, I didn't want to be there.

The SSN# and DOB should never be given on an employment application. It should only be given after a candidate is hired. I am surprised that some companies just don't get it.  Any company which is involved is requesting this information is clearly not aware of the laws and regulations or the impact and exposure those questions represent.