EmployeeScreenIQ

Are the criminal background checks being performed on NASA employees a violation of privacy?

The Supreme Court recently announced that it will answer that question about employees at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California who were classified as "low risk", according to an article by Reuters.

The question came about after some longtime employees decided to legally challenge the organization's in-depth checks for information on medical treatment, counseling for drug use, or any other "adverse" information.

After NASA implemented a policy requiring everyone to undergo a background check before being allowed access to the facility, a group of 28 scientists, engineers and administrative personnel sued the organization and challenged the investigations for violating constitutional privacy rights.

Although a federal judge ruled in favor of NASA, a U.S. appeals court disagreed and ruled that NASA should not be allowed to conduct such invasive background checks, but the Obama administration has now appealed to the Supreme Court.

The laboratory, which is owned by NASA and operated by the California Institute of Technology, is known for developing satellites, rockets, spacecraft and telescopes.

NASA currently requires scientists, engineers and all other employees at the laboratory to undergo background investigations. All positions are filled by contract employees, who could be fired if they do not agree to undergo criminal background checks.

Lawyers for NASA have argued that the ruling by the appeals court has prevented the routine background checks of many government contract employees, as well as cast constitutional doubt on a process that has been used for more than 50 years.

Lawyers for the employees, on the other hand, are questioning why NASA decided to implement the background checks for the first time in more than 50 years. They also note that the laboratory is located on an open campus, has limited security and welcomes outside visitors.

Labels: Criminal background checks