Why should the volunteer waive any right to inspect information provided in connection with the application?
In fact, the applicant has no legal right to inspect the information provided in connection with his application. This “waiver” operates more as an acknowledgement that the covered entity might not be able to share all information in the applicant’s file with the applicant. At times, the covered information should be kept confidential. For example, a former supervisor might have sent a reference letter requesting confidentiality. Assuring the reference that we can maintain confidentiality encourages the reference to be truthful. Also, if concerns of prior abusive conduct have been raised there could be identifying information that a victim or governmental agency has requested be kept confidential. Archdiocesan policy or applicable law might require that certain information be kept confidential. Sometimes, it may be proper for an administrator to share information with the applicant, and the waiver does not prevent the administrator from doing so when appropriate.
