Initial interview went well for a temporary assignment to last five weeks at H&R Block's world headquarters. A job was subsequently offered, then later rescinded a full week later when the company decided they wanted to see verification of self-employment for the past three years, requesting access to my personal tax records. At this point, I had already filled out three separate and very extensive background checks for what amounts to a temporary assignment that is low in pay.
I declined to provide such personal information to the company. They then came back and restated the offer, this time without the necessity to provide the requested records. But then, astonishingly, later the same day I was contacted stating that I could be hired for two weeks as a probationary measure, but that at the end of those two weeks they again would need to see my tax records for the past three years. I have a professional background with great references, and I am highly skilled. I also happen to be unwilling to divulge personal data to any large company simply because they feel a potential candidate might be desperate enough for a job to give up their rights and privacy. This was possibly the most bizarre and maddening interview process I have ever encountered.