credit report for job? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

anleja · 10-22-2003, 10:01 PM

Does anyone have any idea why some employers want a credit report of someone before they will consider hiring them? I just had an interview and had to sign a form saying I agree to them getting my credit report. Should bad credit keep someone from getting a job, as if they are a person who can't be trusted?

On a similar note, does anyone know of any credible places on-line to get a free credit report? I see ads for a bunch of them, but if someone has positive experience with one, please let me know.

irseg · 10-22-2003, 10:09 PM

Well that's fucked up. Not only do I personally consider that to be completely irrelevant, but just the mere act of getting a credit report will reduce your score. If I were in that position I'd respectfully refuse to release my credit info. If they didn't hire me based on that, I certainly wouldn't shed any tears over not working for a company that values snooping on my personal information over hiring me on my merits.

HarmlessRabbit · 10-22-2003, 10:46 PM

Your credit rating is a sign of your responsibility. For a serious, especially white collar, job it shows how trustworthy, responsible, and "grown-up" you are.

Also, a credit report shows a bit of your financial condition, since the credit card companies report your credit line and how much of that credit line is in use. If you're $40,000 in credit card debt and applying for a $30,000 a year job, the employer might worry that you might steal on-the-job.

I recommend going to the source, such as Equifax. You can get a basic credit report for $9.00. I've used them before and can recommend them.

https://www.econsumer.equifax.com/co...landing.ehtml?^start=&orderSource=EHC&PP=P1

Baldrick · 10-23-2003, 04:21 AM

My wife's former employer starting doing this about six months ago as well. If you have a bad credit rating, you don't get hired!

I really don't get that logic. Sure, you could assume that bad credit = unresponsible. But it could seriously work both ways. Someone with bad credit could work their arse off for you because they NEED the job.

onetime2 · 10-23-2003, 05:20 AM

It's getting very common. I don't particularly like it but can understand the point. In many jobs people are trusted with certain valuable things. Whether it's equipment, a credit line, discretionary funds, or even certain information.

Equipment and credit lines (corporate cards, expense accounts, access to ordering various office goods or shipping services) are pretty clear cut on why they would like to know how credit worthy an employee is. Certain industries have access to information that allows for money making opportunities. Someone deep in dept may be a bit more tempted to sell that medical or financial information than the person who is caught up with their bills and living within their means.

skysooner · 10-23-2003, 05:21 AM

Just getting a credit report doesn't lower your score. It is the request of applying for credit that can lower your score if there are too many requests.

a2k · 10-23-2003, 12:02 PM

Employers are using credit reports more often these days. My company's done some pretty intensive background analysis on people but there are never simple rules. It's the sum of the parts that makes or breaks a candidate, not any single piece. I think that any place that uses a single test in a completely black and white way is a place that I wouldn't want to work, anyway. Means that they aren't going to treat you like a human.

Insurance companies are starting to use credit reports as well, as they've found that credit history is a better indicator of how risky you are then your driving record.

Checking your own credit won't affect your score. There are different types of 'codes' for pulling a credit report, some affect your score and others don't.

sipsake · 10-23-2003, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by HarmlessRabbit
Your credit rating is a sign of your responsibility. For a serious, especially white collar, job it shows how trustworthy, responsible, and "grown-up" you are.

I've never really bought this argument. I'm sure that the corporate executives at Enron, WorldCom, Tyco and Adelphia all had sterling credit ratings.

mb99usa · 10-23-2003, 12:25 PM

My wife and I have gotten into the habit of checking our credit reports regularly. Companies are being more careful in who they hire and are using this as another tool. I don't see it as anything to be concerned about.

Believe me we do not have great credit. We are currently enrolled in a debt counseling program which has made getting loans more difficult. We are planning our relocation to Florida around when we will be completing the program.

I can see how an employer would be curious to why we are enrolled in something like this and feel that it is relavent to a position if purchasing power is involved.

Averett · 10-23-2003, 12:33 PM

Is this even legal?

sipsake · 10-23-2003, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Averett
Is this even legal?

Of course! All perfectly legal.

So remember, watch that credit rating, it's the only true sign of your worth as a human.

Averett · 10-23-2003, 12:48 PM

Frankly that's scary...

mb99usa · 10-23-2003, 12:55 PM

Why is it scary? They gather no information other than who you owe money to and how much. There is much more damaging information out there than that.

Mael · 10-23-2003, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sipsake
Of course! All perfectly legal.

So remember, watch that credit rating, it's the only true sign of your worth as a human.

i read somewhere that it isn't... that other than for stuff like getting bonded it was illegal to base a hiring decision on credit... can't remember where i read it though.

HarmlessRabbit · 10-23-2003, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mael
i read somewhere that it isn't... that other than for stuff like getting bonded it was illegal to base a hiring decision on credit... can't remember where i read it though.

Well, my employer here in California did it, and California has some of the most strict labor laws in the country. They also used a third-party service to verify that the information on my resume (past jobs, school) was correct. Very thorough.

Any sane employer wouldn't be combing your credit report for late payments, they would be looking for BIG stuff, like bankruptcies or bad checks, etc.

I think a credit check is an excellent indicator of general responsibility level, but it should be used in concert with other things, not as a hard-and-fast "good credit or you're out" rule.

10-22-2003, 10:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
anleja disconnected Location: ignoreland	credit report for job? Does anyone have any idea why some employers want a credit report of someone before they will consider hiring them? I just had an interview and had to sign a form saying I agree to them getting my credit report. Should bad credit keep someone from getting a job, as if they are a person who can't be trusted? On a similar note, does anyone know of any credible places on-line to get a free credit report? I see ads for a bunch of them, but if someone has positive experience with one, please let me know.

10-23-2003, 04:21 AM	#4 (permalink)
Baldrick We are everywhere... Location: Barrie, Ontario	My wife's former employer starting doing this about six months ago as well. If you have a bad credit rating, you don't get hired! I really don't get that logic. Sure, you could assume that bad credit = unresponsible. But it could seriously work both ways. Someone with bad credit could work their arse off for you because they NEED the job. __________________ You can be young only once, but you can be immature for the rest of your life...

10-23-2003, 05:20 AM	#5 (permalink)
onetime2 Junkie Location: NJ	It's getting very common. I don't particularly like it but can understand the point. In many jobs people are trusted with certain valuable things. Whether it's equipment, a credit line, discretionary funds, or even certain information. Equipment and credit lines (corporate cards, expense accounts, access to ordering various office goods or shipping services) are pretty clear cut on why they would like to know how credit worthy an employee is. Certain industries have access to information that allows for money making opportunities. Someone deep in dept may be a bit more tempted to sell that medical or financial information than the person who is caught up with their bills and living within their means. __________________ Strive to be more curious than ignorant.

10-23-2003, 12:25 PM	#9 (permalink)
mb99usa Keep on rolling. It only hurts for a little while. Location: wherever I am	My wife and I have gotten into the habit of checking our credit reports regularly. Companies are being more careful in who they hire and are using this as another tool. I don't see it as anything to be concerned about. Believe me we do not have great credit. We are currently enrolled in a debt counseling program which has made getting loans more difficult. We are planning our relocation to Florida around when we will be completing the program. I can see how an employer would be curious to why we are enrolled in something like this and feel that it is relavent to a position if purchasing power is involved. __________________ So, what's your point? It's not an attitude, it's a way of life.

10-23-2003, 12:33 PM	#10 (permalink)
Averett Is In Love Location: I'm workin' on it	Is this even legal? __________________ Absence is to love what wind is to fire. It extinguishes the small, it enkindles the great.

10-22-2003, 10:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
irseg Junkie Location: Florida	Well that's fucked up. Not only do I personally consider that to be completely irrelevant, but just the mere act of getting a credit report will reduce your score. If I were in that position I'd respectfully refuse to release my credit info. If they didn't hire me based on that, I certainly wouldn't shed any tears over not working for a company that values snooping on my personal information over hiring me on my merits.

10-22-2003, 10:46 PM	#3 (permalink)
HarmlessRabbit Junkie Location: San Jose, CA	Your credit rating is a sign of your responsibility. For a serious, especially white collar, job it shows how trustworthy, responsible, and "grown-up" you are. Also, a credit report shows a bit of your financial condition, since the credit card companies report your credit line and how much of that credit line is in use. If you're $40,000 in credit card debt and applying for a $30,000 a year job, the employer might worry that you might steal on-the-job. I recommend going to the source, such as Equifax. You can get a basic credit report for $9.00. I've used them before and can recommend them. https://www.econsumer.equifax.com/co...landing.ehtml?^start=&orderSource=EHC&PP=P1

10-23-2003, 05:21 AM	#6 (permalink)
skysooner Registered User Location: Oklahoma	Just getting a credit report doesn't lower your score. It is the request of applying for credit that can lower your score if there are too many requests.

10-23-2003, 12:02 PM	#7 (permalink)
a2k Crazy Location: Seattle	Employers are using credit reports more often these days. My company's done some pretty intensive background analysis on people but there are never simple rules. It's the sum of the parts that makes or breaks a candidate, not any single piece. I think that any place that uses a single test in a completely black and white way is a place that I wouldn't want to work, anyway. Means that they aren't going to treat you like a human. Insurance companies are starting to use credit reports as well, as they've found that credit history is a better indicator of how risky you are then your driving record. Checking your own credit won't affect your score. There are different types of 'codes' for pulling a credit report, some affect your score and others don't.

10-23-2003, 12:48 PM	#12 (permalink)
Averett Is In Love Location: I'm workin' on it	Frankly that's scary... __________________ Absence is to love what wind is to fire. It extinguishes the small, it enkindles the great.

10-23-2003, 12:55 PM	#13 (permalink)
mb99usa Keep on rolling. It only hurts for a little while. Location: wherever I am	Why is it scary? They gather no information other than who you owe money to and how much. There is much more damaging information out there than that. __________________ So, what's your point? It's not an attitude, it's a way of life.