Bad Credit? No Problem! You Can Still Get A Job!

[ABM]

http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2010/06/new_law_prohibits_credit_check.html

When the recession forced Stacey Howard's painting business under, her credit history went down with it.

She narrowed her job hunt to companies that did not look at credit scores. "I self-selected out of a lot of jobs that I might have otherwise been qualified for... and when the economy is really bad that really limits your pool of potential employers," she said.

Howard has since found work, but staunchly supports a law that might have made her transition easier. It's one of six laws passed by the state Legislature that are set to take effect Thursday.

Under the new law, Oregon employers will no longer be able to use credit history as a factor in hiring, firing, demoting or suspending employees, unless they can establish that it's substantially related to the job.

The law originated from a concern that credit histories could be inaccurate or unfairly represent job seekers down on their luck, said Sen. Diane Rosenbaum, D-Portland,who sponsored the bill. Oregon unemployment is hovering around 10.6 percent, and people don't need another factor standing between them and a job, she said.....................

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

I support this new law. Businesses have no right to know a credit history unless there is a correlation to the job.

 

[chris_in_pdx]

I support this new law. Businesses have no right to know a credit history unless there is a correlation to the job.

I agree.... amazingly.

 

[bluefrog]

When I was job hunting I saw a lot of scams that tried to get my bank or credit card info to do a credit report.

 

[Denny Crane]

Being a deadbeat (skipping out on debts) is a measure of character. A deadbeat employee may end up getting lots of harassing phone calls from creditors, even at work. And that sort of thing can affect performance on the job (depression, whatever).

Though bluefrog's point is quite valid, I would certainly be careful about who I gave out my financial information to.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Being a deadbeat (skipping out on debts) is a measure of character. A deadbeat employee may end up getting lots of harassing phone calls from creditors, even at work. And that sort of thing can affect performance on the job (depression, whatever).

So? Do a better job of screening and interviewing prospective employees. Also, place them on a 180 day probationary period or hire thru a temp agency to begin with. Employers have all sorts of ways to protect themselves.

And besides, not all people who can't pay their bills are deadbeats. I can think of a host of reasons why people would get into serious financial straits. As an employer, I wouldn't hold it against them.

 

[crandc]

If someone loses a job and loses their home as a result, if someone has huge medical bills and has to declare bankruptcy, if a person goes through a divorce, that is not a bad character. And someone can have sterling credit and be a wretched person and a terrible employee.

I agree, base hiring on qualifications.

I once applied for a job where, when I went for an interview, I was asked to sign a release allowing them not only to research my (flawless) credit history, but also to view my checking account and my medical history. I told them I was not interested in the position. BTW, it was a techie position. So why is it their business to whom I write checks? Do I need to justify my choice to spend more on free range chicken? Or my political donations?

Denny Crane, you claim to stand for individual rights. Are you aware that credit reports can sometimes have errors (aside from irrelevance) and the person who does not get the job has no way to challenge or rebut them? So not only irrelevant, but all too often just plain factually wrong.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

this is just a way to take teh blacks out of corporate america.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

this is just a way to take teh blacks out of corporate america.

huh??

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/YourCreditRating/CreditChecksACivilRightsIssue.aspx

Studies haven't found a link between poor credit and job performance, but more employers are checking, and minorities are getting squeezed. Insurers are slammed for checking, too.
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By Christian Science Monitor

Lisa Bailey worked for five months at Harvard University as a temp entering donations into a database. When the university made the job a salaried position, Bailey, who is black, saw a chance to lift herself out of dead-end jobs.

Bailey's superiors encouraged her to apply, she says, but turned her down after discovering her bad credit history.

Bailey, with her lawyer, has lodged a complaint against Harvard charging racial discrimination. The reason: Studies indicate that minorities are more likely to have bad credit, but credit problems have not been shown to negatively affect job performance.