Empoyers Who Request Credit Reports!!!

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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!!!!!!!!

I think it is rediculous to ask for credit history. The only reason these people get away with this type of thing is that people allow it to happen. Just say no, period. I would never accept a position where my personal life is a criteria for employment. This type of place will be more than happy to fire you for smoking, drinking or anything else they deem inapropriate. It is so sad really that in this day and age our private life is basically an open book. Ugg:(

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Specializes in ICU, psych, corrections.

I had to go through rigorous physical testing for the police department, then sit through an hour of being questioned by two Lieutenants and the Chief of Police in an interview process. After all was said and done, they said they would happy to have me on the department and offered me a job as a deputy. I fill out tons of paperwork, get fingerprinted and in the middle of the background check, am told I've been disqualified. Why? Because I had a bankruptcy in my past. With the way bankruptcies have taken off in the past few years, they will be hard pressed to find people who DON'T have them on their credit. How long do I have to pay for a mistake I made when I was younger? And BTW, I filed bankruptcy due to a ton of unpaid medical bills when I was uninsured and the creditors came into my bank account and seized all my funds. I decided the only thing I could do was file. I have paid the price and am still paying it. I hope to God this doesn't have an impact on my future career as a nurse!

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Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.
Originally posted by mattsmom81

This may be something I look at in the future, cuz I do get SOOOO tired of discussing this one incident with every job interview.

Unless the entry you're talking about falls within one of the allowed exceptions, the credit bureaus are required to promptly remove it upon your demonstration of the error.

If they don't, a stiff fine may be imposed upon the filing and investigation of your complaint. If you need to pursue that further, start by contacting your state attorney general's office. They'll be able to direct you from there (even though it's a federal statute that's involved).

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Specializes in Emergency room, med/surg, UR/CSR.

my credit absolutely stinks. I am horrible with money and credit cards. If I get out of my latest mess I am never again going to have credit cards again. I have a stupid tendency to let people talk me into things and not think about whether I can pay for it every month or not. I am incredibly illiterate at finances and managing money. I am, however, a good nurse.

One of the things I am doing to help get my bills up to date is to sign up for OT. I also have put in for a 40 hour cash out to be paid right after the first of the year, and will use everything I get back on taxes to pay off what I can.

I am so angry at myself for how stupid I have been the past 6 months that I can't hardly see straight. I was doing so well before that I was even able to qualify for a mortgage and car loan last year around this time. Both are taken out of my paycheck every other week so those two payments will always be on time. So hopefully once I get back on track with everything else, I will be able to build my credit back up.

Sorry this is OT, just had to get it off my chest.

Oh, and about the OP; I agree, your credit report has no bearing on what kind of nurse you are and shouldn't be used as a tool to hire you or not.:o

Thanks for listening, Pam

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Specializes in Medical/Surgical/Maternal and Child.

Well I have some good news!!!! I finally got a job. I start Jan 5 with the State of Utah as an RN Case Manager for the Medicaid Program..Thanks to all of you wonderful people for your comments and support....

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"Woo Hoo!" jumping up and down in excitement Congratulations Ceci!!

I am so happy for you. :D

Good luck with your new job.

Lori

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Originally posted by CeCiRN

Well I have some good news!!!! I finally got a job. I start Jan 5 with the State of Utah as an RN Case Manager for the Medicaid Program..Thanks to all of you wonderful people for your comments and support....

Oh my goodness, wonderful. I am so happy for you. Congratulations. :D

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Originally posted by RNnTraining1973

How long do I have to pay for a mistake I made when I was younger?

The bankruptcy will be removed from your credit report in ten years, usually starting from the date it was discharged.

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Originally posted by Pamela_g_c

my credit absolutely stinks. I am horrible with money and credit cards. If I get out of my latest mess I am never again going to have credit cards again. I have a stupid tendency to let people talk me into things and not think about whether I can pay for it every month or not. I am incredibly illiterate at finances and managing money. I am, however, a good nurse.

One of the things I am doing to help get my bills up to date is to sign up for OT. I also have put in for a 40 hour cash out to be paid right after the first of the year, and will use everything I get back on taxes to pay off what I can.

I am so angry at myself for how stupid I have been the past 6 months that I can't hardly see straight. I was doing so well before that I was even able to qualify for a mortgage and car loan last year around this time.

Don't beat yourself up over it. You're doing the absolute best thing you can do. Every payment you make adds points to your credit score.

If you stay current on your bills for two years with no late payments, that will make a big difference. Just as an example, even people with bankruptcies can qualify for a mortgage if they re-establish credit in two years.

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originally posted by dphrn

brownms46 stated that everytime your credit is checked, it lowers your score. i have had my credit checked so many times it is not funny, but my credit remains excellent. i don't think a credit check can hurt your credit. does anyone know if this is true?

i'm no expert on this, but my undertanding from listening to people who are financial planning experts is that if your credit is checked because you applied for a new credit card or loan, it can lower your score. a potential employer or insurer checking your credit would not fall into that category.

went back and read through the entire thread after i posted. mlos explained this earlier!

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Specializes in ICU, psych, corrections.
The bankruptcy will be removed from your credit report in ten years, usually starting from the date it was discharged.

Thanks for your answer, but after all that happened, I took a personal finance class and I now know more about credit than I ever wanted to!! But it was a great help and now I take care of all financial matters in our household. And I help family and friends with their finances as well. Once I finish school and have a job where I'm making a decent living, I will be able to start saving up for retirement, kids' college, etc.

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Credit reports for employment? IMHO just another proof that the war on poverty has become a war on the poor. I could go on for pages on this subject. But I will spare the good members of this bb.

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