Bad Credit, No Job? Lawmaker tries to make candidates credit off-limits to employers

[The Straight Story]

Bad Credit, No Job? Lawmaker tries to make candidates credit off-limits to employers


SACRAMENTO, CA- Does having bad credit make you a bad worker? One California assembly member says no and is moving to make the practice of checking a person's credit as part of the hiring process illegal in the state.

Assem. Tony Mendoza, D-Norwalk, says Assembly Bill 482 would restrict the practice of checking a job applicant's credit.

"In a brutal economy where unemployment is rising, workers don't need hurdles to find a job," said Mendoza, who wrote the bill.

Checking the credit of someone applying for jobs is legal in the state and more employers are doing it. But Mendoza says the practice can lead to forms of discrimination.

Some employers say credit checks can be a good thing and may protect companies from workers who may be distracted about debt.

http://www.news10.net/news/story.aspx?storyid=80729&catid=2

[madinmaryland]

1. Something similar was passed here in Maryland recently.

[Dappleganger]

2. Good.

Granted, it's necessary for certain security clearances but for most jobs it's not. The past two years have probably been hell on many people's credit scores, and with inaccuracies occurring so often as well, people who have the qualifications and pass the interviews should not have to worry about a bad credit score holding them back.

[avaistheone1]

3. I agree. It is none of the employer's business.

How many of the employers themselves have bad credit? Plenty.

How many of the employers have filed for bankruptcy, and even more than once? Plenty.

How many of even the most respectable employers pay their bills late? Plenty.

[BrklynLiberal]

4. It is about damn time someone took up this issue!!!!!!!!!!!!

[customerserviceguy]

5. It's a nice idea, but I don't expect a lot of public support for it

I'm still somewhat floored over the fact that Oregonians voted a few years ago NOT to disallow the use of credit reports when auto insurance companies were setting rates.

[MadMaddie]

6. As it should be!

Big companies had the chance to get their business standing back. So far they haven't been prevented from dealing in the same bad practices.

Why should Americans citizens not get the same opportunity? Why should they be stopped from getting a job based on the credit rating?

[truebrit71]

7. About time this went nationwide..my credit rating has nothing to do with my ability..

..to do a job..and to infer otherwise is discriminatory..

[proudohioan]

8. It's about time......

There's nothing more demoralizing than getting turned down for a job for which you are highly qualified because of "information obtained from your credit report".

[Iggo]

9. Protect companies from workers who may be distracted by debt?

Holy fuck! They actually said that?

Or is this a "some say..." situation where the writer just wants to get his two cents in?

[jayfish]

10. Yup, Next Thing You Know They'll Be Checking If Applicants Are Parents.

Wouldn't want workers to be distracted by the lives of their children.

Jay

[Iggo]

11. Note to employers: Debt is a lot less distracting when you have a job. (n/t)

[wolfgangmo]

13. Soon they will be asking for a blood draw to check for genetic anomolies.

Does your family have problems with cancer in their 40's? Then you, my friend will be retiring at age 39.

Sure these situation MIGHT not happen, but they likely could if the we continue on the road to becoming the Corporate States of Merica.

[Fire1]

12. K&R. n/t

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

14. What about jobs requiring background checks and/or security clearances?

Bad Credit is considered adverse information for security clearnace purposes.
How will this law effect employers who need the applicant to pass a clearance?

[Romulox]

17. e.g. bank tellers, FBI agents, armored car drivers, member of the B.O.D., even attorneys...

All would be exempt from the prohibition, presumably,

[Romulox]

15. My credit is fine; it's my URINE that should be off limits.

:hi:

[Politicalboi]

16. They shouldn't hire people with children

"Some employers say credit checks can be a good thing and may protect companies from workers who may be distracted about their credit,"
Well what about those who get distracted by their children? Or have to go to school to meet with the teacher? What if their going through a divorce. Yes so many are distracted by debt alone. Better not hire them. What they're worried about is theft. Those who might be destitute might steal. Anyone's lives can be a distraction, rich or poor.

[Myrina]

18. I think everyone's credit scores should be reset on Jan 1....

... given how beat up most of us have been in one way or another financially over the past several years.

Give us all a fresh start.

[DJ13]

19. protect companies from workers who may be distracted about debt.

The obvious solution..... pay them more.

Problem solved.

[Scuba]

20. We should support this bill...

...before I retired I had HR telling me candidates were "suspect" because they had high credit card balances. This is a fairness as well as confidentiality issue and credit ifo should be off limits to prospective employers.

[Vincardog]

21. "Some employers" are full of $hit