Specially designated nationals

[aktrekker]

When applying for a job recently, an interesting page was served up by the company. I've never seen anything like this before.

Notification of Background Check
For all positions, J.C. Penney Corporation, Inc. and its subsidiaries require a general background check, including criminal history, as a condition of employment or continued employment. In addition, JCPenney will conduct a government required check to insure that you are not on the list of specially designated nationals prepared by the U.S. Department of Treasury.

If you are considered for employment with J.C. Penney Corporation, Inc. or one of its subsidiaries, you will be required to pass a general background check and be cleared of specially designated national status.

In the event your name appears on the list of specially designated nationals and your date of birth and Social Security Number do not clear you from the list, you will receive a letter providing you with information on how to contact the U.S. Department of Treasury to clear your name from the list.

So what is a specially designated national?
Why would this list be compiled by the Treasury Department?
Could this have something to do with Homeland Security?
Are we all marked?
Has anyone else ever run into this before?

[Cochrane]

A quick google search reveals this site:

http://www.treasury.gov/resource-cen...s/default.aspx

So apparently it is for people who do financial transactions for terrorists, drug dealers and whoever the US doesn't like.

On a quick glance over the list, I couldn't find anyone with either my first or last name on it. The list is interesting. Most names sound as if they are from the middle east, but not all of them. Several seem to live in prisons.

[aktrekker]

Interesting. I've never run into this before. I wonder if all employers are doing this as a standard part of the background check and just don't mention it. Makes me wonder why JC Penny would mention it.

[Blackmoor]

They make a really big deal about it and when I looked, it seems J C Penney is a store..? So this is a retail position?

Good lord! Why are they so bothered?

I could understand it if the job was with the CIA or something.

[interstellardave]

Paranoia is hitting an all-time high if J.C. Penney, of all places, is doing these kinds of background checks!

[TombRaiderFan.]

I think it's the government that requires them to, right? I actually don't think I'd like my cashier to be associated with terrorists when I got to JCPenny or any store, just saying.