I work out of a call center for an international company.  (It's not telemarketting, BTW).  When I got the job, more than a year ago, the trainer gave us only one number to the desk to be used specifically for when we were sick or late, and made it clear that we weren't supposed to give that number out.  There's no HR person at the center, so the trainer gave us a toll free number for employment verification/income verification, and it's handled by a third party, not our company.      

I wasn't happy with this arrangement to begin with, and pretty much I've been putting down my cellphone number as my work number, or the desk number anyway.  Nobody has called it yet, or at least, they haven't told me anybody has.  

Hobbying, however, has raised more issues.  If I give out the number of the desk, they're likely not going to be that helpful to any questions regarding verification.  At best, they may say I work there and agree to take a message.  (Since I have a cellphone, they may ask me why that was necessary.)  Moreover, when they answer the phone, the don't even say the company's name (just "resource.")  I don't know if that would satisfy some providers as verification.  Worse, they'll probably going to ask me some embarrassing questions about your call.  

Now, if instead of the desk, I give a provider the toll free number, before it will verify my employment, it asks her for my Social Security number.  So, for the provider to verify, I have to divulge to her my SSN.  Now, I like you ladies here a lot, but...

You see the problem?  I'm going to be filing a grievance about it, because I shouldn't have to give out my SSN just so somebody can find out that I work there.  I'm looking for another job and a real career regardless.  But ladies, in the meantime, are there any alternatives that may satisfy your requirements for verification?

/Zin  

At this point in time, maybe you could focus on spending time with ladies who are willing to verify you with provider references. Lots of ladies who use that method may only require a cell phone to reach you.

Happy hunting and stay safe!

Thank you for a very practical suggestion, Cindy, and I'll use it where applicable.  Sometimes, I just can't make those substitutions, though.  Strange as it may seem, sometimes I just want to see *that* provider, based on reviews, postings, pictures, chats and the webpage.  By the end of it, it's like infatuation.  

Guys couldn't have had this trouble before the internet.

/Zin

Find women that don't require job info.

Well, I don't believe the usage of your SSN in this way is legal and I'm trying to think of who you could call to verify, but I think that's so. I would definitely not want anyone, including your work to be discussing your SSN with someone.

Sedona, you're absolutely right...it's the Privacy Act of 1974, which specifically says "No disclosure without consent."  

The link is to a site that's probably a good place to start.

Yoda

Absolutely do not give out your social security number. That's just ludicrous. I like to get an out-of-town work number because it makes me feel safer that the potential client/friend is not LE. That's the only reason.  I have, however, on occasion asked for a driver's license and an out-of-town cell number if he cannot provide me with a work number.

Hugs,
Ciara

If you are applying for credit or anything else which requires verification, you must supply your SSN if you wish the benefits of that for which you are applying.
That said, most entities would write, on letterhead, requesting that info and not call.

My thinking entirely, Sedona.  That was my initial objection to it, but it hasn't become important till now.  As I said, I will be filing a grievance.  I shouldn't have to disclose my SSN to everybody who wants to verify where I work.  I've been told so far that they have to do it this way, because they don't have an HR person on staff.  As though they have to put a full-time person on just to answer this question?  I'm not even asking for salary level disclosure, mind you.

This, however, was a similar arrangement to my former job at the end of my employment there.  However, there, if this wasn't enough gall, they had people calling a 900 number to have somebody's employment verified!  Talk about greed.

/Zin

-- Modified on 4/25/2004 1:03:02 AM

but, to each her own.

Yes, but that includes disclosure of salary level.  I don't like the assumption, and the limit on my behavior so implied, that these would be the only people who might want to verify my employment.

Besides my SSN, I'm also supposed to give the inquirer a six digit key number to enter and a five digit company number to enter.  I've never seen spaces for these on a credit card or loan application, have you?  And when I've applied for a credit card and loan, I just put that desk number down that I mentioned before.  Apparently, lending institutions have other ways of finding this out, because they've never called the desk.

It's like a Dilbert strip, here.  Corporations today have gone insane.

/Zin

(Very sweet picture, BTW, I'm glad you got that solved. )

... but for us hobbyists who are under-employed (and you can't remain underemployed for long and really hobby), I just hope providers can understand the maximum level of hassle some companies are making over this simple thing, even if you're discreet.

That being said, would this work for most of you?  Perhaps I can fax copies of my pay-stubs and/or workbadge, or even email jpeg attachments of them. (That is, after I get my scanner serviced.)  Could that work?  I could look into this, (I'll have to consider what I'm really disclosing here) and I'll have to strike through the SSN's, of course.

/Zin

I'd strikethru the SSNs on the paystubs, of course.  For an email attachment, I'll have to get my scanner serviced first.

If third-party verification is what a provider needs, perhaps the employee number on the badge might provide info on the company's website.  I'll have into check that.  However, given time constraints expressed...

/Zin

-- Modified on 4/25/2004 2:50:03 AM

I know the feeling. I just don't see anyone that I don't feel comfortable with their screening process no matter how beautiful they are. One woman asked me during a phone conversation where I worked. I told her and that was the end of our conversation. We never met. I get references from some very wonderful women and after we meet I may tell them where I work.
I will always give my username in initial contact and it always serves as a good source of verification along with references.

-- Modified on 4/25/2004 8:18:01 PM

...the hookers act like corporations and the corporations act like hookers.

Specifically, providers now ask for references and corporations are too secretive to divulge personal relationships.  

I find hope for the future in this development.  

As for this problem, I'll solve it, yet.

/Zin

I never understood why anyone (provider or otherwise) would accept a paystub or business card as "proof" that a person really works where they say they do.  What would it take, 10 minutes of effort on a computer, to do a PERFECT forgery?

If a provider ever says she wants a business card from me, I'll have to tell her, "Well, ok, I guess I could print one.  Give me a couple of minutes..."