Is checking a persons credit history legal for employment consideration ?

Answer 1

Absolutely. Checking a potential employee's credit history, criminal history, and driving record are all legal and can be given weight during the interview process. In most situations, the applicant must agree to the background check by signing a consent form.

Answer 2

If the job you are applying for has you dealing with money and/or financial information, then a potential employer can run your credit. Before they do so you must sign a form acknowledging that they may do this. If you are applying for a job that does not have you dealing directly with money or others personal financial information, there is no reason for an employer to check your credit. For example, if you are going for a job as a research analyst for a marketing firm, why should they need to know your credit history, good or bad? If you have excellent credit, you should want as few eyes looking at it as possible. Do you get to look at your potential employers credit? Bad credit does not automatically mean bad character. How many people have gone through divorce? Been victims of identity theft? Been injured and out of work without insurance? Just be prepared that if you do have less than perfect credit and you are presented with a form to authorize a credit check, ask who is going to run it and why. It is completely reasonable to want a full explanation of why that information is necessary and it is your opportunity to explain any problems upfront.

Answer 3

No. It is illegal. Checking a person criminal background and drug screening is understandable but running a person credit history is surely encroaching upon that person's privacy. Credit history is personal record. Except financial institutions like banks, credit card companies before issuing loans should be allowed. For employment purposes definitely no. Before you hire check the person's capability to do the job which is going to handle after hiring. What's heck you should worry about his credit history or his credit score? Lot of African Americans have a bad credit history because of some personal reasons but just because a bad credit history you should not deny the opportunity he/she deserves based upon the qualifications that person possess.

Answer 4

Yes. Money is an important resource to manage. If a person can't manage their own money they probably will lack the skills to manage the resources of their employer.

Where money is spent most of the time also tells the employer where the prospective employee's heart is most of the time, too. If the debt is going to lawyers, courts, and such, the employer sees a red flag and might consider hiring someone else.

Answer 5

Yes it is, not quite sure when this intrusion into someones personal affairs got started but, its part of the process in order to get employed. I was terminated from a job, after my ex-boss learned my checking account was delinquent.
I tried to explain to him the reason my personal checking account was overdrawn but he refused to hear me out and fired me.
Two weeks went by and I get a phone call from him, it seemed he had a hard time finding a better replacement, and hired me back. He also paid the bank the amount I was overdrawn out of his own pocket, take care.

Answer 6

I have NEVER heard of that!!!! That's Insane!!! You know years ago, I went to put in my application for an apt., rental, and I gave them the money and all, to do a credit check on me,.....(here I am thinking their only checking for my credit with rental's, not my overall credit, I was young) and they denied my, and I lost my $50.00!!! Had I known they were doing an overall, I wouldn't have given them my money , or even bothered, you know!!! But, it was an apartment for crying out loud!! And I have EXCELLENT Credit with Rentals!!!! Always gave written notice, and verbal, and left them all emaculate!!! But, they didn't care about all of that I guess!! Sad, but true!! Now, for a job, that is so sad, I have never heard of that in my life!! And here I am going to school, to land me a good paying job, down the line, and for my Degree in Associates Science Business!!!They had better not pull that on me, when I'm all done!! CRAP!!! Tell me it isn't so!!!

Answer 7

Yes. It is requirement if you work in banking or any other financial field. Law Enforcement also requires it.

Answer 8

Yes it is perfectly legal. If you don't like it - apply at a place like McDonald's where they will accept anybody.

Answer 9

legal and done on a regular basis.

Answer 10

Sure, many employers do that during the new hire process...........