Nick Corcodilos with the Bellingham Herald responds to a reader question.

"I accepted an offer with a small company that outsources its benefits administration to a human resources (HR) provider. The provider asked me to sign authorization forms granting permission to run checks on my background, my credit and my former employers. They also want permission to release my information to any other employer who inquires about me.This is an invasion of privacy, and I declined to sign. They said if I didn't sign, I couldn't be hired. I declined and left.

I let the employer know what happened. I've already given notice to my current employer. The new employer hasn't called back. How should I handle this? Do I just sign these authorizations and hope they're used appropriately? Or walk as a matter of principle?"

Read his advice at: http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2010/06/13/1469580/employers-demanding-too-much.html#ixzz0qtGnTX2r