Should employers be allowed to credit check before hiring

gerb131's avatar

gerb131

9,932 posts
No. People get sick, people get laid off. It happens.
Nov 21, 2011 3:57pm
THE4RINGZ's avatar

THE4RINGZ

16,816 posts
Depends on the position you are applying for. Obviously if you will be handling large amounts of some one else's cash, then yes.
Nov 21, 2011 4:00pm
S

Steel Valley Football

4,548 posts
As the one doing the hiring, I can ask to check anything I want to; credit included.
Nov 21, 2011 4:04pm
gerb131's avatar

gerb131

9,932 posts
Is there a direct correlation between bad credit and bad people?
Nov 21, 2011 4:06pm
T

thavoice

14,376 posts
Employers will also check facebook and such so make sure and be careful what you post for the general public to see
Nov 21, 2011 4:10pm
THE4RINGZ's avatar

THE4RINGZ

16,816 posts
I don't thnk there is a direct correlation. I do believe that yes circumstances do dictate someone having poor credit but still being a good person. As I mentioned in my initial statement, I believe if a person is being hired to handle cash then, yes, a credit check is justifiable.
Nov 21, 2011 4:10pm
LJ's avatar

LJ

16,351 posts
Anything in financial services yes. Otherwise not really needed.
Nov 21, 2011 4:15pm
justincredible's avatar

justincredible

32,056 posts
LJ;982632 wrote:Anything in financial services yes. Otherwise not really needed.
+1.
Nov 21, 2011 4:17pm
OneBuckeye's avatar

OneBuckeye

5,888 posts
Steel Valley Football;982623 wrote:As the one doing the hiring, I can ask to check anything I want to; credit included.
/thread.
Nov 21, 2011 4:18pm
T

thavoice

14,376 posts
I know people who do credit checks before they rent to someone. They found out over the years that IF their apts do get trashed and not taken care of very well is usually someone with poor credit.
Nov 21, 2011 4:24pm
LJ's avatar

LJ

16,351 posts
thavoice;982644 wrote:I know people who do credit checks before they rent to someone. They found out over the years that IF their apts do get trashed and not taken care of very well is usually someone with poor credit.

Everyone who rents out property should do credit, rental history and arrest record checks
Nov 21, 2011 4:26pm
Scarlet_Buckeye's avatar

Scarlet_Buckeye

5,264 posts
Steel Valley Football;982623 wrote:As the one doing the hiring, I can ask to check anything I want to; credit included.
This.
Nov 21, 2011 4:29pm
S

Steel Valley Football

4,548 posts
gerb131;982625 wrote:Is there a direct correlation between bad credit and bad people?

There is a direct correleation between bad credit and bad credit people. As an employer, I can decide if I want to hire those people or not.

More than likely there is an existing relationship between bad credit and other negative social behavior, though I'm not sure if studies have been conducted and/or if the results would be difficult to quantify. Because of that, I would personally err on the side of caution.
Nov 21, 2011 4:37pm
justincredible's avatar

justincredible

32,056 posts
Steel Valley Football;982623 wrote:As the one doing the hiring, I can ask to check anything I want to; credit included.
Dick size?
Nov 21, 2011 4:41pm
S

Steel Valley Football

4,548 posts
justincredible;982657 wrote:**** size?

I would only want to check things work related. If I'm hiring a male adult film actor, yes.
Nov 21, 2011 4:47pm
justincredible's avatar

justincredible

32,056 posts
Steel Valley Football;982662 wrote:I would only want to check things work related. If I'm hiring a male adult film actor, yes.
But if you aren't hiring for a position in finance, how would a credit check be work related?
Nov 21, 2011 4:50pm
sleeper's avatar

sleeper

27,879 posts
LJ;982632 wrote:Anything in financial services yes. Otherwise not really needed.
+1
Nov 21, 2011 4:51pm
G

gut

15,058 posts
thavoice;982644 wrote:I know people who do credit checks before they rent to someone. They found out over the years that IF their apts do get trashed and not taken care of very well is usually someone with poor credit.
Besides that, if someone has bad credit history or swimming in debt, the odds of default or of not collecting damages skyrockets.

I saw one landlord (rental) who would not even consider someone with less than 10yrs consecutive job history or something ridiculous like that. You would have thought the guy was renting a $15k a month penthouse instead of a $1k a month 1-bedroom.
Nov 21, 2011 5:13pm
G

gut

15,058 posts
Steel Valley Football;982654 wrote: More than likely there is an existing relationship between bad credit and other negative social behavior, though I'm not sure if studies have been conducted and/or if the results would be difficult to quantify. Because of that, I would personally err on the side of caution.
Correlation or not, any mgmt or finance/accounting position - if someone isn't responsible or diligent enough to properly manage their personal finances, then why would I trust them with my business? Yeah, stuff happens but it would be my choice if I want to consider extenuating circumstances.

The applicant certainly has the right to refuse a credit check, and I certainly have the right to immediately reject them as a result. As long as no laws are violated, I can request pretty much whatever information I want. That certainly entails additional hiring and search costs, which is probably why background checks are more extensive for directors vs. a janitor.
Nov 21, 2011 5:17pm
Q

queencitybuckeye

7,117 posts
gerb131;982625 wrote:Is there a direct correlation between bad credit and bad people?
There is one between bad credit and propensity to steal in a cash environment. For money-handling jobs, the answer is clearly yes IMO.
Nov 21, 2011 5:32pm
I

I Wear Pants

16,223 posts
If you are applying for a position where you make financial decisions with another persons money? Yes. Otherwise? No.
Nov 21, 2011 5:33pm
S

Steel Valley Football

4,548 posts
justincredible;982666 wrote:But if you aren't hiring for a position in finance, how would a credit check be work related?
Work performance. If an applicant is not good at managing their own life, they likely wont be good a managing their job. In fact, prior poor work performance might have led to their current bad credit. It's my call.
Nov 21, 2011 5:57pm
redstreak one's avatar

redstreak one

1,152 posts
A friend of mine who works for USEC at the uranium enrichment plant inPiketon must maintain a good credit rating. National security measures I guess.
Nov 21, 2011 6:02pm
Mooney44Cards's avatar

Mooney44Cards

2,754 posts
If you really want to exclude an entire segment of possibly excellent employees who have bad credit for any number of reasons, that's your prerogative. It's dumb, but its your prerogative.
Nov 21, 2011 6:23pm
G

gut

15,058 posts
Mooney44Cards;982787 wrote:If you really want to exclude an entire segment of possibly excellent employees who have bad credit for any number of reasons, that's your prerogative. It's dumb, but its your prerogative.
It's just another factor to consider in the overall picture. A marginal candidate with bad credit would be passed over. The credit check does have merit, for all the reasons mentioned. It is your choice to agree to it or not, and it is also your choice to volunteer explanations in advance or not.

Of course, given the events the past 3-4 years it's no longer as great of an indicator. It's still information I would want to consider because it still says something about integrity, personal responsibility and basic competence even if it's not perfect.
Nov 21, 2011 6:37pm