[JudyKayTee]

I work in an HR department that issues clearances to every employee we hire; I've taken part in getting clearances to over 50 people since April, so I've picked up a little on the way. :)

Yes, if a neighbor says you got carted off to the nut house 8 years ago, they'll find it - but the disclosure is still only for 7 years. And going to the nut house is a little different than a few visists to a therapist, which is, I assume, what the OP is referring to. Regardless, this information turns up on the SF-86 results and is known only by the FSO - the employer doesn't know, never does know, and can't ask. My take on the OP's question was can the employer ask these questions, as in, at the interview. The answer to that, of course, is no.

Are we beating a dead horse? :)

Yes, the horse began to be beaten when the words "nut house" appeared - totally inappropriate.

You work for a company that investigates security clearances for the Feds?

[jillianleab]

Get a sense of humor, Judy.

[JudyKayTee]

Get a sense of humor, Judy.

I have a sense of humor - it doesn't extend to flippant derogatory comments. I would feel the same way if you referred to a class of people as "'tards," a term which is also casually thrown around and has now been removed from the threads.

And you didn't answer my question - your firm does background checks for the Feds?

[jillianleab]

Your question has nothing to do with the topic.

[JudyKayTee]

It goes to your expertise in answering a question on the legal board, a question specific to Government background checks.

The question was: "Would this be acceptable in relation to specific government jobs considered "top secret" or something?"

You stated: "Even for a Secret Clearance it should not be asked about.”

I disagreed based on my experience with Government background checks.

You also posted: "I work in an HR department that issues clearances to every employee we hire; I've taken part in getting clearances to over 50 people since April... ”

I am merely asking if you do security checks for the Government, if that is the basis of your experience and expertise.

[jillianleab]

The employer should never ask about mental health past, not even for secret clearances. For clearances, the inquiry is made by the government via the SF-86 and only the FSO is aware of the answers. So, my statement, "Even for a Secret Clearance it should not be asked about.” was, and is correct. The employer does not require this information.

I said I work for an organization which clears all employees - what more do you need to know? Your question has been answered.

Cripes, let it go.

[JudyKayTee]

The employer should never ask about mental health past, not even for secret clearances. For clearances, the inquiry is made by the government via the SF-86 and only the FSO is aware of the answers. So, my statment, "Even for a Secret Clearance it should not be asked about.” was, and is correct. The employer does not require this information.

I said I work for an organization which clears all employees - what more do you need to know? Your question has been answered.

Cripes, let it go.

The Government IS the employer but, yes, let's let it go.

[jillianleab]

The government is the employer when you are working for the government - not when you are working for a contractor (which is more common). Regardless, if you are being hired by the government, your interviewer should not be asking you such questions, and the results of your SF-86 won't be disclosed to the rest of your government co-workers/superiors.