What exactly constitutes a legal document? Specifically, what about "release forms" that potential employees are asked to sign to allow background checks. I got one recently that said they could check my "standard and mode of living" and "general reputation" and a bunch of difuse sounding aspects of my life. Furthermore, they had a long paragraph in there saying I agree not to file any complaint or persue any suit against them if they misuse my information, libel or slander me (no kidding--it called that out), etc. etc.
I always get background checks done as a part of my work (pretty standard for my field within IT) and don't have a problem with it (that is, when they check criminal, credit, employment, education). But this last form seemed outrageous to me. Is a form like this actually a legally binding document?
I ended up crossing out the lines that I found unnacceptable and initialed/dated them. I was told that the company will not process anyone who changes this contract. I started to wonder if it really was a legal contract at all. Can one of you Legal Eagles help enlighten me here?