should potential employers use credit checks?

[smartnurse1982]

Just would like opinions on the subject. I've noticed more potential employers using credit checks as a condition of employment.

Has your employer checked your credit? on my credit report I've noticed several looked at my credit report. Just want it to be out there why some can't secure positions.

[MsbossyRN]

Yes, they should be able to, it says a lot about the person and if they have been able to maintain themselves or not. I want someone working for me that can plan and prepare for the future. It is called responsibility, and if you can't take care of yourself how can I hire you to take care of someone else?

Credit ratings don't really say much about a person. There are loads of reasons why someone may have bad credit.

[healthstar, BSN, RN]

Yes, they should do a credit check but only for medical bills---from their hospital. It just looks bad, you owe that hospital lots of money and you want to work for them as a nurse. It's just weired.

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

My opinion is a BIG FAT NO. Your Credit report is not just based on your timeliness of paymentabout 33 percent of your score is based on how much credit you use on your lines of credit...more than 70 percent can really effect your score. So you are stuggling a bit and maxed out your cards....yes your score will drop. Not to mention the many errors those credit agencies make

[destiny5]

I really don't want an employer knowing who I owe and how much, whether I own my home, have a mortage, student loans, it's just tooooo personal.

[kcochrane]

Well you don't seem to take into consideration that people can be living within their means but if their income steadily declines over a period of time....say over 2-3 years anyone can eventually find themselves looking at not being able to pay for the basics and a mortgage and a car payment. Or as in our case we kept our heads barely above water, just started to get to a point where we had enough $$ left after paying the bills and both cars totally died within 3 weeks of each other. Believe me a car payment was quite difficult to work into the budget after not having one for 10 years. Yes we did have savings and retirements and used both to pay bills until they were exhausted while dh went through several layoffs and I also went through two layoffs. Yep our credit sucks right now and we are working extra as best we can considering we have to share a car and don't live in a part of the country where mass transit is well established.

So tell me this does not being able to imagine a gross income loss in excess of 75% of our combined incomes mean we are not quality employees? Or, perhaps the fact that we were able to roll with the punches and find our way through mean we are resourceful, persistant and willing to do what it takes to make it through adversity? Weathering a major life crisis shows responsibility and integrity in a global sense that is more overarching than just the financial arena. It seems to be an uniquely American attitude that being credit worthy equates to be employment worthy.

Exactly. Or lets say you live within your means and your husband suddenly becomes very ill. Health insurance pays for the medical bills, but it doesn't pay the mortgage, cars, etc. Disability pays $100/week - where are you going with that? Not to mention having to take time off myself to take care of my husband.

[Multicollinearity, BSN, RN]

I suspect employers just don't want to deal with garnishing paychecks and getting snagged in collections lawsuits. It's expensive to administer. Also, credit reports can reveal employers you didn't list on your application or resume.

[dance4life]

In all honesty, I don't think a job has looked at my credit report. At least, I have not seen one do so on mine. I have filled out applications where they said they were going to do so.

Do I think they should. Not really. It isn't really going to tell them anything definitive. Right now people are losing jobs left in right in this economy, or they can't find one. Even what others have mentioned in previous posts. Yes, some are fortunate to be able to have second jobs or make do, but sometimes things don't happen the way you plan them.

[Not_A_Hat_Person, RN]

Exactly. Or lets say you live within your means and your husband suddenly becomes very ill. Health insurance pays for the medical bills, but it doesn't pay the mortgage, cars, etc.

Of, if you're really unlucky, health insurance decides not to pay your medical bills.

[smartnurse1982]

I'm guessing with so many people applying to job openings that this is probably one more way to weed out more applicants.

[angel337, MSN, RN]

bad things happen to good people. my credit has changed over the past couple years due to cut hours and new family responsibilty and I am still a good nurse. You would be surprised how many people w/high incomes have bad credit.

[AOx1]

People losing everything is directly related to living outside of their salary/means.

Don't be quite so sure. My parents were frugal all their life, paid for what they needed in cash (including their home and cars), and saved 30% of their income. After a devastating illness, nearly all that is gone. They could only get catastrophic insurance due to a previous serious illness. Insurance only pays so much. I also used to think responsible living = security, but now I know better. It certainly helps, but is no guarantee.

[deedbr]

wrong post