Background/Credit Check, Bankruptcy

Trauma Columnist · Apr 1, 2006

I am currently looking at employement options also and I know that I was told by an HR rep that credit history is a guide to the responsiblity of the potential employer.

markjrn · Apr 1, 2006

I am currently looking at employement options also and I know that I was told by an HR rep that credit history is a guide to the responsiblity of the potential employer.

That's a rotten deal. Bad credit due to divorce, health issues, etc., sure doesn't indicate how well you can do your job.

Years ago I applied for a position that did background and credit checks. The hospital told me that they only worry about credit if you're handling money in the job. I guess that's changed.

CseMgr1, ASN, RN · Apr 1, 2006

Years ago I applied for a position that did background and credit checks. The hospital told me that they only worry about credit if you're handling money in the job. I guess that's changed.

No, it hasn't changed. When I signed up to do temporary work at a facility last year, and had to sign a release for them to perform my background check, it clearly stated that a credit check would not be done UNLESS I was being hired to work in a financial position.

markjrn · Apr 1, 2006

No, it hasn't changed. When I signed up to do temporary work at a facility last year, and had to sign a release for them to perform my background check, it clearly stated that a credit check would not be done UNLESS I was being hired to work in a financial position.

Oh, so maybe they just use a standardized form for all positions, and don't check for nurses. I'll have to let her know - she's pretty stressed out about this.

Thanks for the responses. :)

indigo girl · Apr 1, 2006

It's a disturbing trend, this gathering of information about us that has nothing to do with the work we do. We should all be concerned about our lack of privacy. You don't know who else will end up with that information. Our lives are becoming less free (no matter what anyone tells you), when you are forced to give up your privacy to pay the rent.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Apr 1, 2006

It's a disturbing trend, this gathering of information about us that has nothing to do with the work we do. We should all be concerned about our lack of privacy. You don't know who else will end up with that information. Our lives are becoming less free (no matter what anyone tells you), when you are forced to give up your privacy to pay the rent.

This kind of information was always required of me in my employment. I've had fingerprints on file with the FBI, NASD, and NYSE since 1971. Goes with the territory of being responsible for other people's money - I worked on Wall Street.

Which is not to say that there aren't other problems with information gathering these days. But I digress into dangerous verboten political waters.

markjrn · Apr 2, 2006

I can understand fingerprinting and security checks but I think a credit check is going too far. This woman's bankruptcy doesn't affect her nursing abilities.

Has anyone here ever been denied a position based on bad credit?

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Apr 2, 2006

I can understand fingerprinting and security checks but I think a credit check is going too far. This woman's bankruptcy doesn't affect her nursing abilities.
Has anyone here ever been denied a position based on bad credit?

No, but I would have been had I ever declared bankruptcy. In certain industries it was used as a measure of honor. And yes, I know stuff happens. It didn't matter. If you didn't pay off your debts you were deemed lacking and not hired. And if you divorced - this was a long time ago - you were a bad boy anyway and not going to advance. Trading in the older model for a trophy wife was strongly discouraged and met with considerable disapprobation. None of it mattered if you were female because you weren't advancing anyway.

Fun2, BSN, RN · Apr 2, 2006

Many employers check for responsibility issues by seeing if you are responsible with your money.

Also, they do not want you to be receiving harassing bill collector calls at work.

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Apr 2, 2006

Many employers check for responsibility issues by seeing if you are responsible with your money.
Also, they do not want you to be receiving harassing bill collector calls at work.

Creditors are NOT supposed to call you at your work number to collect payment. I realize that this little item does not stop them, especially those who are a bit more unscrupulous (which probably includes most creditors!). I circumvent the whole thing by giving my cell as my home number, and my actual home landline as my work number. NO ONE has my work number. They cannot force you to provide it, either. They can try, but they can't make you do it. Whenever I'm asked for my work number by a creditor, they get my home number.

Unless you're handling money, or are potentially in a position to accept bribes (FBI, police, ATF, those types of jobs), I don't see where anyone's credit history is any of anyone's business.

Fun2, BSN, RN · Apr 2, 2006

They find a way....like maybe you had to put your job to get financing.....

Coworker got called pretty much daily....both of our names were Michelle/Mi'Shelle so, if I answered "This is Mi'Shelle" they automatically assumed I was Michelle. VERY annoying...but things happen that aren't planned.

Such is life....