|
|
|
|
|
|
Credit checks
The question:
"Some employers are using credit checks to judge the character of potential job candidates. Do you think a person's credit history is a fair indicator of their character?"
Background information:
"Herb Weisbaum: Job hunting? Be prepared for a credit check," KOMO 4 News (external link)
What people are saying:
"Loved the John Kerry joke but my god
man, learn to use spell check! As for
the topic at hand, if it is going to be
used to judge character, then so be it.
It shouldn't however be the ONLY
factor. Hard times have come to
everyone at one time or another and
this is no different. Before any
information from a third party is used
to judge a person however it must be
checked to make sure it is true."
"I'm pretty sure that over half of my co-
workers are just one pay check away
from being broke. Everything cost more
these days...and employees with
families are suffering the most. Thanks"
"MY RECENT EXPERIENCE REFINANCING MY
MORTAGE HAS MADE ME AWARE OF THE VAST
QUANTITY OF INACCURATE INFORMATION
PRESENTED BY THE REPORTING AGENCIES.
THEY ARE NOT ONLY A POOR INDICATION OF
CHARECTER THEY REPRESENT A FAILURE OF
OUR GOVERMENT TO ENFORCE IT'S OWN
POLICIES CONCERNING ACCURATE REPORTING."
"I, have a comment on this poll. First
I, have to say that a person's credit
report shall have nothing to do with a
person being able to get a job. 2nd of
all if a person with a bad credit
report can ONLY pay those off by having
a job. Now if nobody hire's them then
how can they clear up there credit
reoprt?"
"I'm sure Ken Lay has a really good
credit report."
"75% of bankruptcy come from unforn seen
medical problems, not from impulse
shopping."
"Some people fail to realize, or take
advantage of this great country's
opportunities. I was born poor as
dirt, but through personal sacrifice
and keeping my goal in sight, I am now
able to provide for my family in a
manner I'd never experienced as a
child. Quit complaining and blaming
everybody else (including the
government) for all your failures. I
want the government to stay out of the
entitlements business. You don't
deserve anything you havev't worked
for. If you don't like the way things
are run in America, either get into
politics and change things, or pack
your bags. Chronic complainers never
seen to muster enough strength to
actually do anything other than make
noise."
"I love looking at my credits. I
received 90 credits for my AA Degree;
180 credits for my BA Degree; 270 for
my MA Degree, and 360 credits for my
PhD. Do I think it's unfair to see my
history? Well, I did have a few
teachers, instructors and professors
who did not like me, but hey, it's not
a perfect world."
"Credit checks are an arbitrary measure
of someone's character. Many are in
debt because of school loans, because
they were born into financially
unstable situations, whatever. If
someone's financial history is marred
for whatever reason, do you honestly
think this competitive society cares?
Of course not, not until the
premadonna's have been in that position
do they understand that bad things
happen to good people. Of course, these
premadonna's are the same one's who
read this comment and think snobbishly,
(oh this person must be in debt) but I
actually have a perfect credit history-
so now what are you gonna think?"
"I have very good credit, yet feel it is
a violation of my privacy for an
employer to have any knowledge of that."
"Especially in a difficult economic time
like now many people have been forced
to damage their credit. The current WA
DC administration is largely
responsible and I believe using credit
checks is a form or discrimination. I
don't think it is right. It certainly
does not assist those with credit
problems to improve them. I think it is
unconscionable that corporations have
access to this part of a person’s
private life. I hope you will fight it
at every turn. Thanks for all your hard work."
"Isn't it interesting that the noisest
and most insulting blogs are the ones
opposed to credit checks? Undoudtedly,
they have something to hide. If an
individual's credit history is intact,
it is an asset to that person. How
else do millions of citizens purchase
homes, real estate and cars in
America? It is common knowledge that
consumers have the right to challenge
and change their credit history.
Unless of course, because of financial
problems, the derogatory history is
accurate. Then it is a matter of time,
as this history can only be reported
back 7 years. Then it must be purged.
Chances are, poor credit history could
be attributed to medical issues,
divorce, etc. However, the majority of
low scores are directly the result of
impulsive financial
decisions."
"A good job a step in the right direction
to reversing a bad credit history."
"This is grossly unfair, and a violation
of our privacy!!!!! No one should have
access to our credit report unless we
give written permission."
"Big Brother Loves You!"
"The issue of an individual's plight in
life must be a concern for that person
alone. That is referred to
as "personal responsiblity". If one
needs a helping hand, or an assist,
that can, and will be provided by
society. Many people have legitimate
concerns with mental and physical
disabilities. There are many agencies
and programs designed specifically to
aid those people. However, the
majority of us are quite able to pull
our own weight. There exists an
element of the American society today
who look forward to gleening a living
off the work of others. Are we
becoming an association of racial,
ethnic and cultural groups held
together by hopes for material gains
from the government? Or are we a
people who pull together and add to the
overall good by our individual work and
contributions?"
"To the idiot who said "would you loan a
tool to a neighbor if he never returned
your tools?" So your comfortable with
people looking at your credit history,
medical records, tax returns to get a
job? What if somebody else borrowed
your tools and said he was your
neighbor,would you still blame the
neighbor and hold it against him? and
not hire him for a job? What if it was
his wife borrowing the tools? My credit
report said I had an oustanding parking
ticket from 7 years ago in FLORIDA!!"
"People with bad credit are clearly
morally crippled and ethically
disabled. Interesting that those who
argue otherwise are right-wing whiners
who preach responsibility but avoid
responsibility like the plague."
"Give me a break! Ones "credit check"
most often results in misinformation.
Example: My credit report indicates
that I was once in the US Army
stationed out of Texas...I have never
had anything to do with the military or
any affiliation with it! So very untrue
is the credit report! tsk tsk tsk"
"It’s none of there dam business and I
think it should be illegal to use it as
a job reference. Good or Bad Credit has
absolutely no bearing toward someone’s
character. Speaking about the character
of potential job candidates John Kerry
was in a hot air balloon and realized
he was lost. He lowered her altitude
and spotted a man in a boat below. He
shouted to him, Excuse me, can you help
me? I promised a friend I would meet
him an hour ago, but I don't know where
I am.' The man consulted his portable
GPS and replied, 'You're in a hot air
Balloon approximately 30 feet above a
ground elevation of 2346 feet above sea
level. You are at 31 degrees, 14.97
minutes north latitude and 100 degrees,
49.09 minutes west longitude.' John
rolled his eyes and said, 'You must be
a Republican.' 'I am,' replied the
man. 'How did you know?' 'Well,' John
answered, 'everything you have told me
is technically correct, but I have no
idea what to do with your information,
and I'm still lost. Frankly, you've not
been much help.' The man smiled and
said, 'You must be a Democrat.' 'I am,'
replied John Kerry. 'How did you
know?' 'Well,' said the man, 'you don't
know where you are or where you are
going. You've risen to where you are
due to a large quantity of hot air. You
made a promise that you have no idea
how to keep, and you expect me to solve
your problem. You're in exactly the
same position you were in before we met
but, somehow, you still make it my
fault.'"
"Assuming that the credit report is
meant to screen out people who are
desperate enough for cash to steal from
an employer: I guess if I were an
employer I may feel justified being
able to invade the privacy of potential
employees. However, as an employee I
would be very offended if an employer
had a copy of my credit report. I have
terrific credit, but whose damned
business is it, anyway? And what if a
person has a messy credit report thanks
to the ex? What about people who have
had an identity stolen? It takes years
to clear that up so that means victim
of fraud could also be unable to get a
job due to the fraud. Wow, what chaos.
A person's credit report shouldn't be
part of your job application!"
"It's hard to believe, but businesses
actually have the right to assess a
specific consumer's history in regards
to paying back debt. Would you loan a
neighbor a tool if you found out he
never returns them? Or how would you
feel about a product that had a 75
percent failure rate when purchased off
the shelf? You would not loan the
tool, nor would you purchase the shoddy
product. An individual's credit
history is a relevant tool for
employers to assess the ability of
applicants' self discipline.
Businesses are only as good as the
employees that work for them. If a
company's employees produce inferior
merchandise or services, then that
company's profits will be adversely
effected. Shareholders demand the
company manufacture or provide the most
for their investments. A manager who
doesn't demand his workers turn out a
superior product, won't be manager for
long. If you've fallen on tough times,
let yours be a lesson to others; the
working world is a competitive
place."
"It is way too intrusive and the
information on the credit check is
often inaccurate. Show me where a
credit rating is any indication of your
ability to sell widgets. I feel that
any company that snoops on me deserves
no respect or loyalty from me. This is
supposed to be America not the defunct
Soviet Union."
"Most Americans file for bankruptcy due
to medical problems. What influence
dose it have on their work?"
"I have really good credit (although
a LOT of credit cards and the four
VISA/Mastercards have balances of
$800-900) but this sounds like
another Bush-backed invasion of
privacy tactic which favors big
companies over jobless people.
I think many factors will come
out which show credit can be
tampered with from ex-spouse
problems to even identity theft.
An identity theft victim was
already mistakenly jailed and
strip searched and that victim
is suing the county involved
(not King County). Although
paying bills on time does show
responsbility, I think there are
problems with this that aren't
even known yet. These tactics are
why I'm self employed and like
being my own boss."
"I have always given 110% to any job I
have had. Due to a divorce and my being
a single father I had to claim
bankruptcy because my ex charged all my
credit to the max. With having two
children to support I could not afford
all the bills she left me with. And
with no child support. So because I
claimed bankruptcy didn't mean I was
worthless on the job as some feel." "It depends on how their credit was messed up. In todays economy it is very easy to lose jobs and fall behind on house payments. If it was messed up because of credit cards that were used to purchase things that would be considered toys than that shows someone with bad character." Updated: Sept. 17, 2004 |
|
|
Executive's news Executive's site map | E-mail the Executive By visiting this and other King County web pages, you expressly agree to be bound by terms and conditions of the site. The details. |