Various Social Commentary

I am dismayed by the process of hiring and beauracracy present in the hiring process of many large businesses. To apply for work at such a place it often requires a 30 minute ordeal of filling out forms, finding paperwork, etc. It should be made abundantly simple for the applicant. Filling out the paperwork correctly is not part of the application process.

Intent to work can be easily specified in person or by electronic media. A consent to a background check, drug screen, etc can all be organized into a 'single checkbox', along with the statement of being aware of rights. Position applied for or general application can me signified in a similar box. Complete work history is a background check, and notable work history should be the only real thing the applicant must assign.

Vital papers need not be produced immediately, and are also likely part of a background checking process, so they can be kept private until consent is given either upon verbal confirmation from the company or background checking agency, or during the interview process, depending on direction of interest.

But filling out a massive form series, checkboxes of are you are of your rights, you chose yes, is this correct, etc, it is degrading and an insulting waste of time for a worker to go through. While we're here let's add the option of joining unions while applying. I would rather see an interview, even in recorded or typewritten format, than a string of radio button questions or touch-tone answers for recorded questions. This can make the process of finding good employees easier for businesses and the process of ffinding a good company to work with easier for a worker.

Let's work on making that happen before fiscal 2007 arrives.