Why do potential employers require a residence (street address) on applications?

manpreet Best Answer 2 years ago

Most online applications specifically require a street address for residence. I have always been careful about my personal information, and I do not see why it is necessary to ask for my street address. Keeping it private is safer, but it also reduces a 'travel distance bias' a screener might have.
There are many other situations where a job seeker may not have a permanent street address. I would prefer to list my PO Box instead on the 'street address' box, but do not want it rejected for not following instructions.
Why do potential employers want the applicants (street address) residence?

manpreet 2 years ago

I need a mailing address so that if you leave the company I can mail you various forms I have a legal obligation to give you. These include tax forms and something called a Record of Employment that is relevant for unemployment insurance. I don't have an application form, but I do ask for this information after a person is hired and I ask them to keep it current.

I don't care where you live, I just need to be able to send you stuff. However, since I am human, I may wonder about a long commute and ask you if you're sure you're ok with it. I did interview someone who told me they really hadn't realized how far away we were until that moment, and wasn't ok with it or willing to move.

Now, I understand not all employers are me. The ones demanding this may be using it to hire only those who won't have moving expenses, only those with short commutes, or only those from certain backgrounds. I doubt anyone checks you live at the address on your application. In fact many places probably have it out of no more than habit and never use it at all.

If this is a real issue in your life, look into a mail drop with a an address that doesn't include "PO Box". They are typically for microbusinesses - they use Suite 102 to mean Mailbox 102 but you could put Apt 102 and I'm sure it would work. Online forms can mean huge volume of applications, and dropping you for a PO Box is super easy to do.