Comments on: The sticky question of the pre-employment credit check http://www.risesmart.com/risesmart/blog/the-sticky-question-of-the-pre-employment-credit-check/ Corporate outplacement and job search news and views from RiseSmart Sun, 01 Aug 2010 05:30:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 By: Ron Congress http://www.risesmart.com/risesmart/blog/the-sticky-question-of-the-pre-employment-credit-check/comment-page-1/#comment-11999 Ron Congress Thu, 13 May 2010 00:28:09 +0000 http://www.risesmart.com/risesmart/blog/?p=1358#comment-11999 70+ Million Americans Suffered “Bad Credit” (Previous to July ’09) long before the full economic collapse – that’s more than 1/3 of the entire population between 20 and 75 years old 379,000 Bankruptcies Filed Q1, 2010, (17 percent increase over Q1, 2009 during a year in a year which they soared upward by 32%) 35% Increase in Foreclosures and a 16% Increase in Foreclosure Notices Q1, 2010 (over Q1, 2009) and 1 in every 4 Homes in America are at least 10+ % “underwater.” In survey after survey, including a recent MSNBC survey, more than 90 percent of Americans say that workplace discrimination based upon someone’s personal credit report is wrong and should be illegal. ZERO statistical evidence exists to tie bad credit reports to fraud! It’s already illegal in 3 states and HR3149: The Equal Employment for All Act would make it illegal in every state, but most Americans don’t even know the legislation exists. Please support the overwhelming will of the people and the rights of highly qualified American workers to compete on a level playing field during this horrible economic disaster. Join our FB PAG at: http://groups.to/h.r.3149 or shoot us an e-mail at hr3149@hotmail.com with”sign me up” in the subject line. 70+ Million Americans Suffered “Bad Credit” (Previous to July ’09) long before the full economic collapse – that’s more than 1/3 of the entire population between 20 and 75 years old

379,000 Bankruptcies Filed Q1, 2010, (17 percent increase over Q1, 2009 during a year in a year which they soared upward by 32%)

35% Increase in Foreclosures and a 16% Increase in Foreclosure Notices Q1, 2010 (over Q1, 2009) and 1 in every 4 Homes in America are at least 10+ % “underwater.”

In survey after survey, including a recent MSNBC survey, more than 90 percent of Americans say that workplace discrimination based upon someone’s personal credit report is wrong and should be illegal. ZERO statistical evidence exists to tie bad credit reports to fraud! It’s already illegal in 3 states and HR3149: The Equal Employment for All Act would make it illegal in every state, but most Americans don’t even know the legislation exists. Please support the overwhelming will of the people and the rights of highly qualified American workers to compete on a level playing field during this horrible economic disaster. Join our FB PAG at: http://groups.to/h.r.3149 or shoot us an e-mail at hr3149@hotmail.com with”sign me up” in the subject line.

]]> By: Janet http://www.risesmart.com/risesmart/blog/the-sticky-question-of-the-pre-employment-credit-check/comment-page-1/#comment-11927 Janet Thu, 29 Apr 2010 21:03:57 +0000 http://www.risesmart.com/risesmart/blog/?p=1358#comment-11927 I recently had a job interview with a bank in Missouri for a technical writing position (would not handle nor have access to any money). The interviewer and I got on very well. He told me during our interview that I was by far the most qualified for the position, but he had already scheduled meetings with two other applicants. He said that unless one of them "blew his socks off," he would be calling me the next week to offer me a job. We even talked about salary since he said he was pretty sure I was the most qualified for the job and he wanted to make sure that I would be willing to work for the bank at the salary they offered. He had asked me before our interview to fill out a form that would allow their HR department to run a credit check on me. I was a little uncomfortable about the form asking me for my birthdate (I'm well over 50), but filled it out and sent it back. At the end of our interview, which lasted over 2 hours, the person told me that the credit check was just a formality and to expect a call from him the following week. When he called the following week, he sounded miserable. He said that there were a "couple of questions" about my credit report. Turned out there was just one. A small department store account that had gone past 30 days due to mailing errors when I moved from one state to another. The fellow sounded relieved when I told him why this had occurred, said he personally thought it was wrong to use credit reports to assess potential employees, and asked me to write a note explaining why this had happened and send it to HR. He said that once I'd done that, he would be able to call me and make me an offer. It's been almost two weeks now and no phone call, no email, no nothing. I feel certain that I've been denied this job either because of this one glitch (which occurred, by the way, at a time when I was not only moving but also mourning the death of my fiance) or my age. Everything in my conversations with this fellow indicated that I was better qualified for the position than any other applicants. As I wrote in my note to the HR department, btw, I paid all late-payment fees, never lost my credit card, still have it and use it, and the department store has increased my credit limit since this incident -- plus I'm one of their "preferred" credit customers. To me, this is ridiculous and discriminatory. If employers are going to be allowed to use credit reports in their assessments of employees, then there need to be some "rules" about how and what they can use so people stop wasting their time applying for jobs where they won't be hired and also so companies can't use this to gain information (such as birthdates) that they would not be entitled to ask for prior to employment. I recently had a job interview with a bank in Missouri for a technical writing position (would not handle nor have access to any money). The interviewer and I got on very well. He told me during our interview that I was by far the most qualified for the position, but he had already scheduled meetings with two other applicants. He said that unless one of them “blew his socks off,” he would be calling me the next week to offer me a job. We even talked about salary since he said he was pretty sure I was the most qualified for the job and he wanted to make sure that I would be willing to work for the bank at the salary they offered. He had asked me before our interview to fill out a form that would allow their HR department to run a credit check on me. I was a little uncomfortable about the form asking me for my birthdate (I’m well over 50), but filled it out and sent it back. At the end of our interview, which lasted over 2 hours, the person told me that the credit check was just a formality and to expect a call from him the following week.

When he called the following week, he sounded miserable. He said that there were a “couple of questions” about my credit report. Turned out there was just one. A small department store account that had gone past 30 days due to mailing errors when I moved from one state to another. The fellow sounded relieved when I told him why this had occurred, said he personally thought it was wrong to use credit reports to assess potential employees, and asked me to write a note explaining why this had happened and send it to HR. He said that once I’d done that, he would be able to call me and make me an offer.

It’s been almost two weeks now and no phone call, no email, no nothing. I feel certain that I’ve been denied this job either because of this one glitch (which occurred, by the way, at a time when I was not only moving but also mourning the death of my fiance) or my age. Everything in my conversations with this fellow indicated that I was better qualified for the position than any other applicants.

As I wrote in my note to the HR department, btw, I paid all late-payment fees, never lost my credit card, still have it and use it, and the department store has increased my credit limit since this incident — plus I’m one of their “preferred” credit customers.

To me, this is ridiculous and discriminatory. If employers are going to be allowed to use credit reports in their assessments of employees, then there need to be some “rules” about how and what they can use so people stop wasting their time applying for jobs where they won’t be hired and also so companies can’t use this to gain information (such as birthdates) that they would not be entitled to ask for prior to employment.

]]> By: Ron http://www.risesmart.com/risesmart/blog/the-sticky-question-of-the-pre-employment-credit-check/comment-page-1/#comment-11855 Ron Sat, 10 Apr 2010 21:17:20 +0000 http://www.risesmart.com/risesmart/blog/?p=1358#comment-11855 If credit checks work for employers, then perhaps it is time that employees start using them also. You should run a credit check on any company you apply for a job at, and on all its employees whom you might work with. While it is unfortunate that all these credit checks are much more likely to turn up credit problems than the one check on you, you must do what you must to protect yourself. Working at a job with bad people is a terrible experience and should be avoided. If credit checks work for employers, then perhaps it is time that employees start using them also. You should run a credit check on any company you apply for a job at, and on all its employees whom you might work with. While it is unfortunate that all these credit checks are much more likely to turn up credit problems than the one check on you, you must do what you must to protect yourself. Working at a job with bad people is a terrible experience and should be avoided.

]]> By: helen uk http://www.risesmart.com/risesmart/blog/the-sticky-question-of-the-pre-employment-credit-check/comment-page-1/#comment-11810 helen uk Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:20:53 +0000 http://www.risesmart.com/risesmart/blog/?p=1358#comment-11810 I live in the uk, and this is a growing concern over here, i have always worked in a sector that involves cash handling and taking payments, which due to being made redundant ended last year. I applied for a position in the same sector and was offered a position. two days later the offer was withrawn, due to a credit check, which due to me loosing my job resulted in me loosing my home of twelve years. this has got to stop, i hope that they pass this bill, then maybe good honest employee's can get their life back on track and not be treated as outcasts in society. I live in the uk, and this is a growing concern over here, i have always worked in a sector that involves cash handling and taking payments, which due to being made redundant ended last year. I applied for a position in the same sector and was offered a position. two days later the offer was withrawn, due to a credit check, which due to me loosing my job resulted in me loosing my home of twelve years. this has got to stop, i hope that they pass this bill, then maybe good honest employee’s can get their life back on track and not be treated as outcasts in society.

]]> By: robbie http://www.risesmart.com/risesmart/blog/the-sticky-question-of-the-pre-employment-credit-check/comment-page-1/#comment-11808 robbie Sat, 13 Mar 2010 23:23:49 +0000 http://www.risesmart.com/risesmart/blog/?p=1358#comment-11808 My story is very similar to Fitzgerald's, so I won't repeat it. I disagree totally with Jason. It is not right to judge a person based solely on their credit report. I worked for two failed companies in five years. I had worked for one of them for EIGHT years. I was loyal and hard working. I was trusted with ALL of the bank accounts and never stole anything. I even had access to the owner's bank accounts because they trusted me so much to be confidential and honest. I had no control over losing that job; the company closed it's doors. I made the mistake of being loyal to the end because I had known the the owners for so long and felt obligated. It took me six months to find a job and my credit was destroyed. Before that, I had perfect credit. Eight months ago, I was laid off again from yet another failed company (Countrywide). I certainly had no control over that one. The other day, I got an offer for my dream job. Dream company, dream team, dream salary. The offer was rescinded because of the credit problems I had in 2004. I had cleared 8 of 12 delinquent accounts but that wasn't good enough. Doesn't my effort to clear up the problems, even though they were 5-6 years old say something about my character? I didn't file for bankruptcy but I should have. It would have been over three years old by now, and I probably would have passed the credit check. I have been hard working, sacrificial, and contributed with all my energy to every job I've ever had. I've been promoted, given raises and bonuses and the highest scores on my evaluations. But that doesn't matter because I have credit issues that date back six years, so I can't get a job. You cannot determine what kind of an employee a person will be by checking their credit report. I am living proof. Companies need to find better ways to evaluate people because they are missing out on very hard working productive people and those are the people that make money for a company. My story is very similar to Fitzgerald’s, so I won’t repeat it. I disagree totally with Jason. It is not right to judge a person based solely on their credit report. I worked for two failed companies in five years. I had worked for one of them for EIGHT years. I was loyal and hard working. I was trusted with ALL of the bank accounts and never stole anything. I even had access to the owner’s bank accounts because they trusted me so much to be confidential and honest. I had no control over losing that job; the company closed it’s doors. I made the mistake of being loyal to the end because I had known the the owners for so long and felt obligated. It took me six months to find a job and my credit was destroyed. Before that, I had perfect credit. Eight months ago, I was laid off again from yet another failed company (Countrywide). I certainly had no control over that one. The other day, I got an offer for my dream job. Dream company, dream team, dream salary. The offer was rescinded because of the credit problems I had in 2004. I had cleared 8 of 12 delinquent accounts but that wasn’t good enough. Doesn’t my effort to clear up the problems, even though they were 5-6 years old say something about my character? I didn’t file for bankruptcy but I should have. It would have been over three years old by now, and I probably would have passed the credit check. I have been hard working, sacrificial, and contributed with all my energy to every job I’ve ever had. I’ve been promoted, given raises and bonuses and the highest scores on my evaluations. But that doesn’t matter because I have credit issues that date back six years, so I can’t get a job. You cannot determine what kind of an employee a person will be by checking their credit report. I am living proof. Companies need to find better ways to evaluate people because they are missing out on very hard working productive people and those are the people that make money for a company.

]]> By: Mike http://www.risesmart.com/risesmart/blog/the-sticky-question-of-the-pre-employment-credit-check/comment-page-1/#comment-11749 Mike Fri, 26 Feb 2010 03:18:04 +0000 http://www.risesmart.com/risesmart/blog/?p=1358#comment-11749 I like so many others lost my job some time ago. Mine is a particularly touchy area of the gaming/casino business. I pulled and counted all the money form the gaming floor. My last job was a route operater supervisor where I counted, audited and tranported as well as deposited million of dollars in cash every week without supervision. In five years I never lost or stole a dime but when I lost my job due to an illness, I went broke after my savings were depleted. Ok, I lost my house and I owe credit cards and a few outstanding bills. The point is my credit is very bad now. I can no longer get a job in the industry because of my credit even though for years I did a great job. So what is it coming to? The credit card companies just want their money (rightfully so) but are hindering me from getting a job to pay what I owe. It will be interesting to find out what happens over the next few years. Wasn't it partly the greed of these banks that brought on most of this sick economy to begin with? I wish everyone in a similar situation as me good luck. If I do get another supervisory job, I will be ready to listen to an explanation of why the applicants credit is bad and take it into consideration I like so many others lost my job some time ago. Mine is a particularly touchy area of the gaming/casino business. I pulled and counted all the money form the gaming floor. My last job was a route operater supervisor where I counted, audited and tranported as well as deposited million of dollars in cash every week without supervision. In five years I never lost or stole a dime but when I lost my job due to an illness, I went broke after my savings were depleted. Ok, I lost my house and I owe credit cards and a few outstanding bills. The point is my credit is very bad now. I can no longer get a job in the industry because of my credit even though for years I did a great job. So what is it coming to? The credit card companies just want their money (rightfully so) but are hindering me from getting a job to pay what I owe. It will be interesting to find out what happens over the next few years. Wasn’t it partly the greed of these banks that brought on most of this sick economy to begin with? I wish everyone in a similar situation as me good luck. If I do get another supervisory job, I will be ready to listen to an explanation of why the applicants credit is bad and take it into consideration

]]> By: Marie http://www.risesmart.com/risesmart/blog/the-sticky-question-of-the-pre-employment-credit-check/comment-page-1/#comment-11684 Marie Wed, 20 Jan 2010 17:11:36 +0000 http://www.risesmart.com/risesmart/blog/?p=1358#comment-11684 All this makes me very nervous. I have been out of work for over a year and I finally have an appointment with a placement service. If they require a credit score or credit history I believe my chances of getting employment will be slim to none. Like so many others, my husband and I have fallen on hard times. We both lost our jobs and then the house was gone. The credit card bills have just piled up and I feel like we are under six feet of water. And we have tried to talk to the credit card companies about the bills and all we get are strong arm tactics. I do hope something is done. What an invasion of privacy. My financial difficulties should not be taken into account. I am not applying to be a CFO or president of a company. I am just looking for a job so I can keep on living. If it sounds like I am frustrated, that's because I am. So many good, hard working people are being denied the right to work because of the hard times they have fallen upon. With so many people in financial trouble, please tell me who's getting hired. All this makes me very nervous. I have been out of work for over a year and I finally have an appointment with a placement service. If they require a credit score or credit history I believe my chances of getting employment will be slim to none. Like so many others, my husband and I have fallen on hard times. We both lost our jobs and then the house was gone. The credit card bills have just piled up and I feel like we are under six feet of water. And we have tried to talk to the credit card companies about the bills and all we get are strong arm tactics. I do hope something is done. What an invasion of privacy. My financial difficulties should not be taken into account. I am not applying to be a CFO or president of a company. I am just looking for a job so I can keep on living.

If it sounds like I am frustrated, that’s because I am. So many good, hard working people are being denied the right to work because of the hard times they have fallen upon. With so many people in financial trouble, please tell me who’s getting hired.

]]> By: Jane http://www.risesmart.com/risesmart/blog/the-sticky-question-of-the-pre-employment-credit-check/comment-page-1/#comment-11650 Jane Thu, 24 Dec 2009 01:22:06 +0000 http://www.risesmart.com/risesmart/blog/?p=1358#comment-11650 I lost my job, foreclosed on my home and filed bankruptcy. Can employers check your credit before they interview you? I was told that they have to have a written permission from you. I had an interview and it sounded promising but about three days later I received an email saying that although I had the qualifications they decided on someone who was better qualified. I've been turned down on other multiple job apps. I lost my job, foreclosed on my home and filed bankruptcy. Can employers check your credit before they interview you? I was told that they have to have a written permission from you. I had an interview and it sounded promising but about three days later I received an email saying that although I had the qualifications they decided on someone who was better qualified. I’ve been turned down on other multiple job apps.

]]> By: Maria http://www.risesmart.com/risesmart/blog/the-sticky-question-of-the-pre-employment-credit-check/comment-page-1/#comment-11482 Maria Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:41:12 +0000 http://www.risesmart.com/risesmart/blog/?p=1358#comment-11482 I have lost my job and have not been able to pay my credit cards, bills etc. When I talk to the creditors, and explain that I know I am responsible and that I want to pay but I have not found a job at all. That as soon as I am able, I will pay all my bills. They tell me...... If you don't pay up , you will not get a job because of your credit history..........so then, How am I paying back without a job?......I'm confused...so what do I do in the mean time, go out and put up a sign that says "I NEED TO PAY UP.... OR ELSE".....????? I don't understand. Am I living in the US? or should I just blame TEXAS! I have lost my job and have not been able to pay my credit cards, bills etc. When I talk to the creditors, and explain that I know I am responsible and that I want to pay but I have not found a job at all. That as soon as I am able, I will pay all my bills. They tell me…… If you don’t pay up , you will not get a job because of your credit history……….so then, How am I paying back without a job?……I’m confused…so what do I do in the mean time, go out and put up a sign that says “I NEED TO PAY UP…. OR ELSE”…..????? I don’t understand. Am I living in the US? or should I just blame TEXAS!

]]> By: Jason http://www.risesmart.com/risesmart/blog/the-sticky-question-of-the-pre-employment-credit-check/comment-page-1/#comment-11320 Jason Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:21:31 +0000 http://www.risesmart.com/risesmart/blog/?p=1358#comment-11320 These stories are touching, but at the end of the day credit is correlated with the likelihood of employee theft. Also, most employers that pull credit are pulling the employment version of the report which doesn't include score. They do this to verify employment history. The companies like insurers and employers that are currently allowed to pull credit on their applicants aren't in that position because of some legal loophole. They are in that position because it has been recognized that they have a legitimate reason to do so. While it is true that there are exceptions, for the most part people with worse credit represent a higher risk and it is up to companies to decide for themselves the level of risk that they find acceptable before they put that employee behind the register, tallying their books, or locking up for the night. These stories are touching, but at the end of the day credit is correlated with the likelihood of employee theft. Also, most employers that pull credit are pulling the employment version of the report which doesn’t include score. They do this to verify employment history. The companies like insurers and employers that are currently allowed to pull credit on their applicants aren’t in that position because of some legal loophole. They are in that position because it has been recognized that they have a legitimate reason to do so. While it is true that there are exceptions, for the most part people with worse credit represent a higher risk and it is up to companies to decide for themselves the level of risk that they find acceptable before they put that employee behind the register, tallying their books, or locking up for the night.

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