What facts are relevant to your decisions?The information on the following bulleted list is sometimes required on standard employment applications, though candidates might consider some of it to be private or personal. Which of the following items about an employee might an employer have a legitimate claim to know, and why? What information might lead to unreasonable intrusions or discriminatory practices, and why?

A job applicant’s social security number An applicant’s arrest record An employee’s medical records An employee’s marital status Whether a job applicant smokes An employee’s political affiliation An employee’s sexual orientation An employee’s credit rating An employee’s prior salary