When the social security number system was created by Pres. Roosevelt during the Great Depression, it was not originally meant as a means for employee identification. In fact, politically, there were many promises made that it would not be used as a national identification system.
With respect to your employees, there is an unavoidable problem of trust. As Hamlet says in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, “O villain, villain, smiling, damned villain… that one may smile, and smile, and be a villain” (Hamlet Act 1, Scene 5, 105-109).
Unfortunately, we live in an era of prevalent alcohol and drug abuse problems.
Employers and hiring managers face a tougher situation than ever. First of all, after the tragic events of 9/11, both government agencies and private employers face more scrutiny and more risks vis-à-vis employee behavior. Everyone is, quite simply, more aware of security issues. Second, the United States is an increasingly litigious society, and employers face all sorts of legal liabilities both vis-à-vis their customers and even their employees. Third, employee theft remains a problem, and with the advent of cyber security and cyber crimes, one must worry about those employees with access to computer and financial records.