Pre employment Screening

Alot of businesses are doing that sort of thing these days unfortunately.
:oops:
ladybug

i know, with my credit,i will never get a job :(

sometimes i feel like people with bad credit are unlikely to steal money because it's obvious they don't pay and people with good credit might because they are trying to get the money to pay. maybe i'm wrong. please feel free to disagree with me

Hi rstim. I'm sorry. It seems very unfair that a company would look up your credit to decide if you are eligible for a job. I think it sucks, and there should be some controls on it...I definitely agree with that.

I agree with you granny 100%. Not everyone that has bad credit are dead beats, we are just people that have fallen on hard times and are struggling to make it through life.

ladybug

It is very very unfair to look at credit more than qualifacations. Pity a young college grad who has excellent grades and references but made money mistakes in college and has bad credit. It makes no sense, we all make mistakes.

Hi! I think I would ask them for their statement in writing first of all. Secondly, don't lose heart, you WILL get a job! There are still many companies out there who do not rely on credit scores OR they may look into your credit score but give you the opportunity to explain your situation. I think that this may be a blessing in disguise for you...I know you need a job but do you really want a job that treats people like that? and who's to say that's really the reason they turned you down. With only a vocal reason, there could be a number of other explanations for you not getting the job. It is unfortunate that companies are doing this, but keep your chin up!! i read somewhere that if you get turned down for a job, don't lose heart for someone WILL be smart enough to hire you. puts a lighter perspective on the situation. good luck to you!

They are required by federal law to disclose what bureaus were pulled if you were not hired due to credit.They must send you written adverse action notice and in turn you qualify for a free credit report based on that notice.

Cajun is correct. They can notify you verbally, but look for something in the mail as well. By any chance, were they specific about the reasons you were denied? The letter probably won't tell you that.

Heres a question.....How do you know what the credit qualifications are for a particular job? Do they have to reveal that, or just "sorry, its too low"?

Volley, at my work applicants for certain positions are screened. We don't necessarily look for a certain score, but we look to see how their payment history is on revolving accounts or if they have a history of money mishandling. So you could have a thousand civil suits on your report, but if you pay your bills on time we might hire you.

well that count me out already :(

Granny, don't worry!! As long as you don't have a bunch of felonies you'll find a good job!

Thanks for that info Fins...I always wondered if there was established criteria normally or just based on whomever is doing the review.

LOL, probably just whoever is doing the review. I know at Sam's club here in west Michigan they do extensive background checks...For an $8.50 an hour job! They have been ripped off so often by their cashiers they feel the need to make sure new hires have no thefts on their records!

Companies view a credit score as how much of a responsible person you are. Unfortunately they don't ask what happened in your life to make it that way they just care about what it says on paper. On paper they don't want too large of what they consider a risk.

While there are companies who look at your score there are twice as many more who don't. Don't let this discourage you.

You are so right FYI..It just depends on the type of job you are applying for. If you are applying to be an assistant to a locksmith, you bet they're going to do a check..Any job where you will be bonded they would!

I didn't have a background check when I got my job...And I'm the one who does the checks now!

I used to work P/T security at an office building -- a HUGE office bldg at that, it housed the corporate offices of fujitsu, philips, mb financial bank, etc.
I worked overnight, by myself, and had a master key and master keycard to every single door in the building.

Funny thing is, the only background check they did on me was criminal. Go figure.

This is all great info everyone..thanks! I was just curious what someone looks for on these reports.

My company doesn't use the credit reports for customer service-but if you work in accounting or collections they use it. If I wanted a higher position in the customer service they don't run the credit report but they do ask you if you've had any judgements against you. One of the girls I work with did have a judgement in regards to paying on a loan & she was denied a higher position until she could provide proof she paid her debt.

My company does drug tests and requests a dmv report and if they have a decent license--we then consider ourselves lucky to get someone who is not a felon in the background check who is applying for a $10 hr starting wage job--never considers credit report and if they pay their bills--kind of figures that if they are applying for a $12 hour or less job--perhaps they might have some sort of problems paying bills in past and future and are hard workers and we are willing to give them a chance despite what their credit score might reveal! --most companies these days are complaining how hard it is to find decent employees and their credit score is never and will never be a consideration in the pre-hire process--obviously other employees use much different tactics!

I have many years of experience in the Home Health industry working front office where all of our field staff were bonded, and I can honestly say that we never ran a credit check on anyone. I think this is because of the severe shortage of workers in this industry and the desparation some companies feel just to get a body with a valid license and CPR card on board. It's a shame but that's the way it is...

The ones that I can think of off the top of my head that would run a credit check is banking industries, state and government type jobs, and those where you may be around money.

Very true, FYI, but people have to realize that Home Health providers ALSO have access to their patients' money, drugs, EVERYTHING!!! After 15 years in the business, only two incidents stand out for me: one where the provider was definately at fault (she stole her patient's drugs and was caught red-handed with them in her purse) and another one where the family tried to go after the company, saying that we ruined their carpet (crap!!)
Goes to show that some consumers will assume that the company has big pockets and will just eat it. And we did fire the nurse who stole the pills, and also reported her to the California LVN board, so she would never work again.

I agree with your latest post on subject FYI-- even my company would consider looking at a credit report if it was for anyone in corporation who has direct access to companies' money--but when you originally stated that quote "companies view a credit score as how much of a responsible person you are" -I assumed you were talking about most jobs and people applying for new jobs in general-- in my opinion--most companies don't give a diggidty -gosh- dang-dong-- about your credit report--unless you are the one's who will have your hands touching their money--(and that's not a huge percent of the population)--this may sound crazy but sometimes my company is happy if the applicant can honestly answer no to the following questions--#1--have you ever been convicted of a felony?-and #2 can you provide a dmv printout of your current driver's license? I think in upper management jobs a credit history would be a good background check but any job under that level --people in America who have experienced anything at all-- may have had problem's with credit and I don't think that will ever keep them from getting a job--I think it would be more like "Are you able to provide your own transportation to work?" that would be more important than what their credit score is--(but I could be way behind the times these days!) Also about gov employees--I myself was one of them starting out over 27 yrs ago( and later quit to go to college full- time) and I still have many in my immediate family who work for state and federal jobs and the background check was and always has been extreme--very extensive and should be!--your credit report might these days-- be a part of it (but I myself had absolutely no credit established when fed gov hired me) yet they consider every address you have ever lived at in past 20 yrs--you provide reputable references who DO get contacted and interviewed etc--I actually had a recent DUI when I was 18 yrs old but I had the highest score on huge group tested for jobs available and I STILL got hired for federal job when I was only 18 (later on that year)-(even though I had been irresponsible in past)--they hired me!And were happy to have me and offered me a supervisor job (when I was still a kid in my mind!)before I submitted resignation! --so the real deal is that companies consider many factors before determining whether or not you will be a responsible employee for their needs--and they know from their own experiences'-- that everyone makes mistakes --do you agree FYI?

wow i was signed in I thought ! hanky :D

don't wanna hide out guest comment was me! 8)

Running credit checks before employing people is a common practice these days. Credit report is basically ones financial bio data. Most of the employers feel that if a person can handle his finances responsibly then he can also handle his job properly. Credit report does not determine one's credit risk level but it also determines his ability to get a job too.

Fins...I worked for Wal-Mart as a cashier for almost two years. This was a second job...I had to quit due to illness..(they told me to come back anytime and they would hire me back )I only worked my one job. In the meantime I had to file bankrupcy(long story)..I applied with them again ( about 6 months later) for another part-time job and because they were in my bankrupcy...they would not hire me back...no criminal record..just a credit report. I thought it might be the store so I tried another store and I got the same reponse. It's a shame because you fall on hard times they judge you by your credit record...auto ins. companies are doing that also.

Laura I have an 18 yr friend of family who works part time as cashier at Wal- mart--started a couple of months ago--no credit history at all--and I currently have an employee who 6 months ago filed bankruptcy because of subprime loan that reset at same time new baby arrived etc--and his wife recently returned to workforce at Wal- mart locally 1 mo. ago--are you sure they didn't hire you because of credit report? Was this the reason given to you? Are you sure it wasn't due to your illness and time off work that they were holding against you--possibly being concerned about future illnesses? I know that when I interview future employees -the first thing I look for is current job and lapse of time between last job if they can't list a current job--and if no one else has hired them within past 6 months--that's not a good sign--not working for a period of time regardless of reason will indeed be a big red flag and make it harder and harder to get rehired because many employers suspect people who haven't worked for this long are just looking for more worker's comp that has expired because they haven't looked for employment-- etc--I am not talking about your case Laura and my heart goes out to you since this has happened to you---all I know is the corporation I work for is rather small( although a multi-million a year business) -and feels credit reports on lower income wage jobs simply can't and shouldn't be considered in reason to hire or not--I myself have seen (after a guest suggestion on this site by the way )-- the documentary "Wal-mart the high cost of low price" and I can't believe they are discriminating against future employees over a credit report --when included on a credit report are past medical expenses and from what I have seen on documentary--this company encourages their employees to apply for government assistance with their medical expenses because Wal -Mart doesn't provide an affordable health care program for their own employees--yet they then turn around and discriminate against someone who doesn't have a proper credit report? Wow imagine that!!! Unbelievable in my opinion! Sounds like another lawsuit against them about to happen!

p.s. I realized after posting that I stated employers' are suspicious because of "workers' comp " benefits but I actually meant edd-unemployment benefits' and maybe that is only happening here in CA --- sorry for stating that wrongly! :)

Hanky..I worked my regular schedule..never missed but two days all the time I worked for them. In fact I was cashier of the month for December 2005. I have worked for many stores..Sears, JCPenney and K-Mart...you must realize in some stores the manager has a lot to say on who they hire. I gave my two weeks notice and did everything by the book! However when I went back the personnel manager was glad to see me...she pulled my current application and paperwork..but when she spoke to (Todd) the store manager..she came back and told me that the "bankruptcy thing wasn't good." Then she said we don't need cashiers at this time...and no other depts need help"...so I just left no big deal I found work as a cashier at a drug store. Also I have never lost anytime on the job due to illness..I continue to work a full-time job and have for years. I've been at my current job for 18 years. And also somewhere I have paperwork that the Wal-Mart personnel director wrote on "welcome back anytime...exceptional work." So what else was there??? Maybe Todd just didn't like me!!!

Well after making a trip to WalMart in my local area last night and standing in line to check out for over 30 mins, i think it's ashame that they are indeed doing this in their hiring practices! And Todd must be NUTS! :D
Makes u wonder WTH is going on with WalMart! :roll:
Ang

Ang...after working there I can tell you alot of strange stories. You won't believe some of the people they hired (at this same store) after they told me they weren't hiring. It's amazing!!

I know of one lady they hired that was fired from a store I worked for in this same town. She had a drinking problem and was caught drinking on the job she was put on leave (got the help she needed) then returned and was caught taking money from the register. Obviously the store didn't file criminal charges..because I walked into Wal-Mart and there she was at a register! So who knows how they think???

Wow, just wow!
:?
Ang

Laura all I can add is that maybe they thought they gave you a chance once already and you quit by choice--also perhaps deal a bankruptcy again because dealing with money that maybe someone is desperate and will lead them to get their hands stuck in the till--not true at all but these profilers are so kooky and paranoid these days--they can correlate any previous life experience to a subsequent potential bad behaviour I think! I also think what happened to you is not right Laura and am glad you blew them off and found employment elsewhere--I'm left thinking that because of their biases--they lost a potential very good employee!

Thank-you Hanky...I have been working for many years now and have had very few compliants. Who knows what they were looking at..it never bothered me then and it doesn't now.

Excuse me...that was "complaints" !

wow just read this thread..in todays economy is the big time retailers still considering credit report for pre-hire? No wonder un employment rate is at an all time high if they actually still do this!!!!!!!!!!!! CRAZY is as crazy as the CReators of the CRAZINESS!!!!! Big corporations and people in bed with them caused the raping of the american dream "retirement funds" etc of all who always paid their debt...in America these days is your credit score still a Factor on getting considered for a job? If it is..this is another reason to protest to everyone you can think of...the big companies who created the credit score are the ones who drove the country into this deep recession while raping a pillaging and profiting on the backs of every American and future American yet to be born who will have to pay the subsequent consequenses for all of the bail-outs!!!!!!!!!