Empoyers Who Request Credit Reports!!!

[Euskadi1946]

I've been an unemployed RN since June, 2003 and have been doing agency work which is very sporadic here in Salt Lake City. I have been to so many job interviews that I have lost count and always I get the same response from the employers. I have excellect qualifications but we hired another candidate who was more qualified. I went to an interview workshop and the lecturer told me that I was doing all the right things on an interview. I recently found out that here in Utah, many employers do credit checks on prospective employees. An attorney friend told me that pulling a credit report is included in the background check and if you sign a release form authorizing a background check, chances are, they will pull a credit report too. He also told me that employers can deny you employment if your credit is less than perfect and since my credit is less than perfect, I'm beginning to wonder if that is why I have been unable to find a job. I think this is absolutely appalling and underhanded of prospective employers. How do you pay your bills if you are not working??? I also understand that very few states allow this practice and unfortunately, I live in a state that does. Would love to hear some comments about this nasty little practice!!!!!!!!

[RNIAM, BSN, RN]

All I see is a differnce of opinion at this point. No big deal.

[Mr_D]

Originally posted by hogan4736

Though tell me why one shouldn't be held responsible for all (legitimate) medical bills amassed by said individual (catastrophic or not:confused: )

sean

It's a tough question and I'm about to get in trouble with my significant other if I don't get some things done soon, so must be brief.

I generally support a generous amortization of huge debt so that people can pay it off -- even if it's apparent that they never will. I mean, why not spread it out over 30 - 50 years?

But I'm conflicted here. I had cancer at 23 and the healthcare policy I had was a dinky student policy that after $5000 quickly excluded itself from everything. I'm not sure the total (it was easily $100k) nor how everything got paid. My mother tells me she found some grants and there were anonymous doners. I always suspected there's more to the story, and if so she's not talking. I am quite thankful that I don't have that debt. It certainly would have been a huge albatross around my middle-class neck.

So -- I think there is a point where we should help out those in need. A social contract of sorts -- if you get THAT sick, we all will pick up the tab afer X thousand dollars. It's better for everyone all around.

Also -- we don't have the right to die. My grandfather, who was quite ill, wanted desparately to die, and we suspect his requests were ignored for monetary reasons. He accused the medical establishment of draining his life savings and bilking medicare before allowing him to go. It's a cynical accusation, and I don't know who's right. I was younger then so kind of hard to know all the details.

OK -- met my quota for posts today -- must go.

Mr_D

[Sheri257]

Originally posted by hogan4736

You're not being insensitive, just presenting an alternate point of view, which is oftentimes mistaken for hostility on this board...

I like your "talk show" approach, it creates a more stimulating discussion, not just hugs and strokes...

(Though the hugs and strokes are always welcome)

Well, I'm glad you see it that way. But I realize I don't win many popularity contests, and that's OK.

I just read some of these stories, and go "Huh?"

I'm a skeptic, but I also realize I can appear insensitive at times.

I just don't like pity parties. We all get shafted in life. It's what we do with it that counts.

[smk1, LPN]

i think some sort of low interest (or zero interesT) plan spread out over a certain amount of years to pay off a large medical debt could help but the problem with our healthcare sistem is that everything is so expensive that you could easily rack up a million dollar debt with a serious illness. Thats why we need healthcare reform .... but i digress and that is a whole other issue. I guess my concern is that we don't compound the problem by excluding many people from employment, i mean honestly what good is that going to do? If the person is actively seeking employment that at least is a sign of trying to take responsibility. I have to say as a side note that i really appreciate the way that most people on allnurses debate in a mature fashion. There are some other boards where all h### would break loose if just one person disagreed with another! (we all probably know which board im thinking about! )

[kids]

I want to take a moment to remind everyone that the topic of this thread is Empoyers Who Request Credit Reports.

Thanks

-nancy

[RNIAM, BSN, RN]

Is the first poster upset over the turn of events here?

[Sheri257]

Originally posted by smkoepke

I guess my concern is that we don't compound the problem by excluding many people from employment, i mean honestly what good is that going to do? If the person is actively seeking employment that at least is a sign of trying to take responsibility.

That could be true but, then again, it might not. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who are also looking for a job so they can take your money and steal from you.

How you protect yourself from that is a difficult proposition. Credit checks are one way to do that, but it's an admittedly flawed system.

The problem still goes back to the following: Employers cannot disclose detailed job references because of potential liability.

If someone has bad credit but an excellent job history, it's very difficult for the prospective employer to get the relevant information. So they rely on the credit check.

It's not always fair, but that's why it happens.

[hogan4736, BSN, RN]

Take a look at the credit "system" in Mexico (See N.A.F.T.A. )

There is none...Cash is king. You have essentially 2 classes...The rich and the poor...

So we don't have it so bad...

Our credit infrastructure is an essential part of our economy, and without it, we would live in chaos...

sean

[smk1, LPN]

I just feel that this isn't a truly necessary process. You have an interview and an application and references and a work history for an employer to look over. Granted maybe previous employers can't say much other than dates worked and job description but that coupled with other references and your interview should be enough to make a decision (always was in the past). In any case yes employers can make a bad decision when hiring someone. They still can make a bad decision even if the person has stellar credit. I mean whats next checking high school gpa to see if someone is "responsible"? A proper interview along with work history and other references can be quite effective in finding the right candidate for a job. Our current credit system allows for too many people to "fall through the cracks" to be used as a proper gauge of employability. Again many many people are trying to get on their feet again and take responsibility for their credit problems and debts but if they can't find decent jobs how can they?

[LuckyLadybug]

I don't believe everybody who doesn't pay their bills are deadbeats. I can only speak for myself not for anyone else in the world. I was faced with a catastrophic event that left me in financial ruins and I ended up having to file bankruptcy. I had a pulmonary embolism in which the insurance I had through my now ex-husband's employer refused to pay because they said it was related to my asthma they did not cover my asthma. I fought as hard as I could, but I still lost because the pulmonary embolism caused my asthma attack the insurance was from Canada and I was in the United States at the time. I have always been a hard worker, and I don't feel that an employer should hire based on a credit score or prior bankruptcy to clump everyone who has filed bankruptcy or who has a low credit score is stereotyping. I take full responsibility for my actions in life, but sometimes there are things that happen that are beyond our control. I know when I went to apply at the bank I worked at for 3 years I was denied a job based on my credit report. I truly hope the same will not happen when I become a nurse. Best of luck to all of you.:roll :roll

[Sheri257]

Originally posted by LuckyLadybug

I know when I went to apply at the bank I worked at for 3 years I was denied a job based on my credit report. I truly hope the same will not happen when I become a nurse.

From I've read, employers really look hard at credit reports when it comes to financial positions. I would think that a bank position probably fits in that category, even if your not directly handling money.

I do think credit reports are more relevant for financial positions or financial institutions.

[fiestynurse]

A federal law, the Fair Credit Reporting Act requires credit agencies to share their data only with those who have a legitimate business need for the information, and employers generally qualify. Employers are given broad access to an individual's credit report, which they can use to evaluate eligibility for "employment, promotion, reassignment or retention." In short, as far as your employer or prospective employer is concerned, your credit rating is an open book. Credit bureaus typically track not only your bill-paying habits, but also all companies that have asked to see your credit rating when you apply for credit, insurance, a place to live or a new job. The result is that employers increasingly use credit bureau files to find out whether an employee is job hunting with other companies. And prospective employers may use a shaky credit report to conclude that it is risky to welcome you aboard.

However, the Fair Credit Reporting Act also gives you some rights to know how and whether a current or prospective employer is using credit information about you. An employer must get your written permission before peeping at your credit report. And the words granting permission can't be buried deep within a job application form or other word-laden document; you have to sign separately to signal your approval.

If you have a shaky credit report be upfront and honest about it. Explain to your prospective employer the reasons why your credit has gone bad. Many employers are understanding - who hasn't had an occasional money problem?