Is it illegal for an employer to refuse an interview if you have a bankruptcy or foreclosure-resume is great?

Question

As an investigator of fraud in the financial services buisness, it was brought to my attention that people are being refused interviews because of poor credit.

Employers are contacting people because of their resume but have often told them they must have good credit, etc or they cannot be considered. So it is not a matter of a good resume or lack of skills.

Answer 1

Poor credit is not a Federally protected status. Employers routinely look at an applicant's credit history as one criteria for selecting employees in certain jobs. Credit worthiness can be as important as crimal activity and drug use for weeding out bad candidates for certain jobs. Credit history can arguably predict certain things about a candidate. It is used to assign auotmobile insurance rates, mortgage rates, etc; routinely. If these industries are allowed to use it as a "predictive model", then why not employers, as well?

Answer 2

I believe that in the private sector, an employer can refuse to interview an applicant for any reason whatsoever as long as they are not discriminating under the EOE rules (which say nothing about equal opportunity despite poor financial management). I know that in law enforcement, applicants can be refused final interviews/employment because of bad credit histories, bankruptcies, etc. As a hiring supervisor, I would definitely take a person's negative history into consideration.

Answer 3

No, this is doesn't sound right. Interviewers are not allowed to ask questions of a personal nature; they are only supposed to discuss matters that pertain directly to a prospective employee's ability to do the job for which he / she is applying. Are they doing background checks before granting the interview, however, and that's how this financial information is turning up?? Having had financial problems in one's past doesn't seem like a basis for not granting an interview, unless your company can show a direct correlation as to why a person with a less than stellar financial history would be unqualified to do the job. However, it is ultimately up to the interviewer to decide which candidates to interview for any position.

Answer 4

in virginia, it is just about illegal to refuse an "interview", not employment, if you fill out an "application", not just turn in a resume.....as you didn't state your location, i am not sure if you're in VA, the US, or in China....but some companies check your credit as a prerequisite for employment, so if you have a bankruptcy, what's the point of wasting the employer's and applicant's time in granting an interview when there is no chance of employment???

Answer 5

Yes, interview can be at the discretion of the employer. He cannot be compelled to grant an interview. He may however be requested for interview as a mercy.

Answer 6

The corruption is all over and yes it is illegal but not one thing you can do.
Hitler is risen to prepare the way for Jesus. Better do some historical research and watch how now is a repetition of what happened before. I am begging you all to WAKE UP, im not a bad wictch herre.
time to get up, we need to clean house. the white house

Answer 7

An employer is not required by law to interview anyone. Therefore it is not illegal.

Answer 8

There are certain jobs which require a background and credit check. If either is not good, they can refuse a job.

Answer 9

yes they can refuse employment or interviews