Credit checks by possible employers.........

[magyar123]

While it is self-explanatory that banks/credit card companies would check applicants' credit history before hiring for a "sensitive" position, other types of businesses like power companies, mass public transportation, and others have now jumped on the credit check bandwagon.
I assume that this is being done to weed out/eliminate any individuals with lousy credit. The employers' logic is that individuals with lousy credit/bankruptcies are more prone to accepting bribes and sabotage assignments.
Wonder what kind of credit Timothy McVeigh had.

[robivi3]

Wife works for a State Agency that deals with very sensitive material and is assistant to the head Attorney in our area. They did a credit check and background check, she passed. I was somewhat fearful. In truth it would seem that most places are looking for fraud. She did have to explain the BK but it went through Tallahassee and not her local boss.

They contacted everyone listed and did check all her records.

[Jeremy]

It's gotten a bit out of hand. I don't know what bearing your credit history has on whether your qualified for a non money-sensitive job.

[chpxiii]

It's gotten a bit out of hand. I don't know what bearing your credit history has on whether your qualified for a non money-sensitive job.

Like Magyar123 said, the theory, and it's just a THEORY, is that people feel that you are more prone to being bribed to pay off your financial responsibilities.

It's such bullsh!t. There is NO STUDY supporting this idea. There is also NO STUDY that supports the idea that insurance companies feel that someone is more likely to make a claim if you have bad credit - which is the reason they use to hike up your insurance rates.

It's just an IDEA, but not based or supported by any real study and facts.

[HeatherB]

I agree with what everyone says but had something to add. I've heard that credit checks are also helpful for turning down an employee without the risk of being considered prejudice and sexist. I would imagine this would be especially helpful if the majority of workers is one race or one sex.

Still, I think it's a load of crap. (especially with insurance companies)