Disqualifying Job Applicants based on Credit History

KC CHICK · Dec 21, 2002

Sure, there may be some good, wholesome people out there that couldn't control their financial situation. A few may have had it happen to them totally out of their control.....but come on!...I've seen co-workers on the phones with creditors, etc. And you know what?? It was only because of their lack of responsibility that they got in that situation in the first place. These same people are just as irresponsible about their work. These same people also blame others for the problems they are having.

Also, someone mentioned that it's supposedly "illegal" for a company to look at your credit history. If that's the case, how come I've received checks for an unsolicited $5,000 loan in the mail that I would just have to sign the back of and put it in my bank account? Why do I get "pre-approved" applications for platinum credit cards and not for regular credit cards?

Why would a bank send me an unsolicited $5,000.00 check if they didn't think I could pay it back????

It's obvious that someone is checking something. I didn't say they could either.

Anne;)

hoolahan, ASN, RN · Dec 22, 2002

This thread is taking a turn toward placing blame on people for their irresponsible financial behavior, and that was not what this topic was about. Let's not bash anyone for poor financial planning or otherwise.

sjoe, no one chooses to have cancer.

What is the relevance of an employer needing financial info to hire you as a nurse?? A nurse manager who may have someting to do w payroll, yes, a employer who will work in payroll, yes, but a bedside nurse?? I'm sorry, it doesn't wash w me. It is an invasion of privacy. nI am inclined to agree w however said it was to see if you had an ill spouse or child at home. I think we should develop our own forms, and ask if it's OK for us to run a financial check of the institution. If they won't sign it, does that mean they have something to hide?? Total BS!!!!!!!

flowerchild · Dec 22, 2002

"We are not in our current circumstances, good or bad, because of "luck" or uncontrollable circumstances. Our situations are a direct result of the choices we have made. (You chose that husband, that friend, to buy that new car, to save money or not to save money, etc)"

LOL, LOL, LOL

People who think like this will eventually get their turn. People who think like this are also the ones who are totally unprepared for what life might hand them and are least likely to handle it when it happens. This kind of thinking is adolescent: That will never happen to me. HA! So, what will you do when you get in that car wreck that was somebody elses fault, and you have multi millions in medical bills that exceed your insurance, and you can no longer work, even if you get disability, could you really afford to pay your bills? Shyt happens and don't you folks ever forget it. It CAN happen to ANYONE! Your credit report will be the last thing on your mind and the least of your worries when tragedy hits your life.

Flo1216 · Dec 22, 2002

I am not a bad person...I was young and irresponsible and completely on my own with no guidance or direction. I learned the hard way. I already have a hard enough time getting a decent apartment because of the mistakes I made....should I not be able to get a job either after I have worked so hard? It's bullshit. I am trying to better myself by working hard and getting a better job. Drowning student...I think you are quite judgemental and were rather nasty in your post, without cause. We all have problems, we all make mistakes and shit happens to all of us. But I hope you are healthy now.

Flo1216 · Dec 22, 2002

flower child...

right on. The people who are preaching and acting self-righteous probably have never had life bite them in the ass unexpectedly.

RRMLPN · Dec 22, 2002

you go flowerchild.. i agree 100%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2banurse · Dec 22, 2002

Originally posted by KC CHICK
Also, someone mentioned that it's supposedly "illegal" for a company to look at your credit history. If that's the case, how come I've received checks for an unsolicited $5,000 loan in the mail that I would just have to sign the back of and put it in my bank account? Why do I get "pre-approved" applications for platinum credit cards and not for regular credit cards?

Why would a bank send me an unsolicited $5,000.00 check if they didn't think I could pay it back????
It's obvious that someone is checking something. I didn't say they could either.
Anne;)

KC Chick, don't fool yourself. Just yesterday, I received this pre-approved CC that I did not apply to for $6,500!!!! :eek: and this is me 2BANURSE....I, of course, just cut it up and threw it away, but they don't care...

Kris

flowerchild · Dec 22, 2002

BTW, I have yet to meet very many nurses, in all my years of nursing, who are intentionally unreliable, untrustworthy, dishonest, or otherwise bad person. Those type of people are not nurses b/c they don't care about other people or even themselves. Nurses by nature are honest and caring people. There are always a few bad apples in the crowd, I'll grant you that, but they a VERY few and far between when you are talking about nurses. So to use a credit report to determine a nurse trustworthyness and reliability just doesn't make sense to me. The cost to the corporation does not justify the use for the amount of "untrustworthy" nurses out there. The companies that are doing this are using it to find out about things they are not allowed to ask about! It is their way to get around the law. NURSES, AS A GROUP ARE SOME OF THE MOST TRUSTWORTHY PEOPLE I HAVE EVER KNOWN! An untrustworthy, unreliable person wouldn't even make it through the first session of nursing school in most cases. To use a credit report to determine a nurses ability to do the job through trustworthyness and reliability is illogical.

hoolahan, ASN, RN · Dec 22, 2002

"NURSES, AS A GROUP ARE SOME OF THE MOST TRUSTWORTHY PEOPLE I HAVE EVER KNOWN! "

Uh, methinks now you are a tad naive! Lumping people into neat little categories is never a good idea.

flowerchild · Dec 22, 2002

Originally posted by hoolahan
"NURSES, AS A GROUP ARE SOME OF THE MOST TRUSTWORTHY PEOPLE I HAVE EVER KNOWN! "

Uh, methinks now you are a tad naive! Lumping people into neat little categories is never a good idea.

I'll admit, you are probably right. Alas, I do tend to avoid people who have bad vibes and stick around places and people that I believe to be good people and places.

Vsummer1 · Dec 22, 2002

I think someone mentioned consent in all of this. It is probably contained in that paragraph above your signature on the application! If I were to know about it, I would merely tell the person interviewing "I had some problems a few years ago due to illness, but as you can see I did manage to pay back all of my debts and have no outstanding unsettled obligations or judgements".

When my brother checks credit, he asks them. If they are honest about it, I have seen him disregard most of the credit check and look only for judgements / evictions. Because most people do have blips in their life, and a reasonable person looking at a credit report will understand this especially if it was a few years in the past.

But as someone also said, the BON can deny / pull your license for this behaviour. Basically, you sign a contract when you incur debt and that, of course, is the basis of the lawsuit.

If I sounded judgemental, it is because maybe I am and am only looking at it from what happened to me. You are right, I did come off a lot meaner than I should have, and for that I am sorry. I just feel so strongly about it since the hard time I had. I know of people who have defrauded companies by using credit cards and incurring debt only to go and file for bankruptcy, and I am sure you are not one of those people. So again, I am sorry for sounding so mean. I think it is just my anger at it all surfacing here and me venting.

2banurse · Dec 22, 2002

Originally posted by Vsummer1
I know of people who have defrauded companies by using credit cards and incurring debt only to go and file for bankruptcy, and I am sure you are not one of those people. So again, I am sorry for sounding so mean. I think it is just my anger at it all surfacing here and me venting.

That is a sad truth. I just want to affirm that I am not one of those people. If I had incurred debt a little recklessly, it was more of a sink or swim...the charges were more for the day to day things that I needed, particularly food (read groceries, not restaurant bills!) and trying to pay off other credit cards. Not wise, I know, but not meant to defraud either.

When I hear about those people, like yourself Val, who have had hard times but are working hard to fix it, I totally admire you. To me that does show strength of character. One of the things that I am making sure about for myself is that I pay my rent on time, along with phone, electricity,etc. It can be shown that I have not defaulted on any of these payments.

I have thought seriously of quiting school and holding off applying for nursing school. Unfortunately, not only will it mean I will be struggling to just pay my CC bills, but in six months I will have my student loan that I MUST pay. I figure that if I wait until at least I get my LPN, I get get myself on track again. I have had a few of my allnurses friends advise me that I should continue with school.

Well, I guess that's enough for now. It did bother me a little the way I felt I was being attacked, but I realized that it was my own down feelings that made me feel that way. Believe me, it isn't easy for me to face the fact that a lot of what has been done, has been my fault.

I do appeciate all of your responses...even the prickly ones!!! This BB allows me to work some things out especially at this time, when I don't feel that I can go to anyone else...i.e. family, friends.

Kris