How do you feel about criminal background checks in order to secure employment?

the company i work for takes care of developmentally disabled individuals so the state says we must follow strict rules like clean backgrounds on the people that we hire which is okay but i think some of the rules should be stricter -

it doesn't bother me, but i do wonder if it is held against you (not that you would ever know) when applying for jobs...i have to have one every year for work or at uni......i do find it rediculous that every care job i go for i have to have a CRB and pay for it..so i cant apply for 3/4 jobs at a time as it sodts me £40 each time and they wont except one from another employer regardless of whether its only a week old!

I have been an employer. I would like this information as a reference. My final judgement would be in the interview with the person. However, would anyone employ anyone at all without any information?

For some jobs (banks, military, etc.) the security check is absolutely needed, other jobs it is a casual recommendation, and other jobs (ditch digger) it has a minimal relevance. I feel that all employers should at least check the information they are given on a job application ... name, birthdate, address, social#, etc., and if the job needs trustable and bondable workers, then the job application should ask IF the applicant has a crimminal record and what for ... and the employer should check to verify truthfull disclosure on the application.

I am 100% in favor of them. So many times in recent history, after an employee has went beserk and killed some fellow employees, they have found out that he/she had a record in another state, (oft times of violent offenses), or had a "sealed" record as a juvenile. While I understand the argument that almost no one would be hired if everything in their past is an open book, I still do not want "violent" criminals working with my kids, or family. I think, at least, violent crimes should be on their records for all possible employers to see. If there was no injuries, (either physical or emotional),from their crimes, then they could possibly withhold that part.

i don't mind them, i have nothing to hide

Yes..background checks are needed..especially when working with the young and old...

I say sure why not?! Would you want to work with someone that is a criminal? I came across a web sit called peoplefinders.com. You can do criminal background checks, it's a cool site... http://www.peoplefinders.com

i feel so guilty it happened so long ago , although not serious an offence non the less .