Refused job interview based on credit rating. Discrimination?

MrCooper

I have been refused an interview for a job and the reason they gave was because I failed the credit check.
Is this a case of discrimination? Why would having bad credit have any affect on my ability to do a job? It isn't as if I have a criminal record.

Daedalus

No, credit rating is not a protected class.

As for why, not that a reason is needed, an employee in financial difficulties is more likely to commit fraud.

Gingernutty

It depends on on the job is for.

A number of professions require financial probity of their employees and a credit check is the fastest way of weeding out unsuitable candidates.

No. It's not discrimination.

anamenottaken

MrCooper wrote: »

I have been refused an interview for a job and the reason they gave was because I failed the credit check.
Is this a case of discrimination? Why would having bad credit have any affect on my ability to do a job? It isn't as if I have a criminal record.

It is discrimination.

Recruiters are meant to discriminate in order to appoint the right person.

What it is not is illegal discrimination.

Coraline

It is NOT discrimination. When you apply for almost any job and pass the interview stage, you typically sign paperwork that grants the employer the right to conduct credit and background checks.

It is in an employer's right to make judgments based on one's financial character based on their credit history.

MrCooper

Seems unfair. Looks like if you are having financial difficulty, you are instantly branded a criminal. Just because someone is having financial problems doesn't mean they should be tossed aside for a job, just like you can't discount someone who is pregnant or over a certain age. Thanks for your replies.

anamenottaken

Coraline wrote: »

It is NOT discrimination. When you apply for almost any job and pass the interview stage, you typically sign paperwork that grants the employer the right to conduct credit and background checks.

It is in an employer's right to make judgments based on one's financial character based on their credit history.

So such employers are saying they will discriminate (make a judgment), quite legally, on the results of a credit check.

Must say I've never been subject to such a check but I assume things must have changed a lot since I had charge of £2K or so in petty cash.

Coraline

anamenottaken wrote: »

So such employers are saying they will discriminate (make a judgment), quite legally, on the results of a credit check.

Must say I've never been subject to such a check but I assume things must have changed a lot since I had charge of £2K or so in petty cash.

This is one of those thing where we (as employees) are unfortunately put in a position to sign away the legalalities for employers to snoop into financial backgrounds.

I've been on both sides of this fence (never refused due to credit) but have had to examine candidate's credit history. The only cases where we refused (which was rare) is if it was a case of massive, extenstive debts and court judgments.

RuthnJasper

MrCooper wrote: »

Seems unfair. Looks like if you are having financial difficulty, you are instantly branded a criminal. Just because someone is having financial problems doesn't mean they should be tossed aside for a job, just like you can't discount someone who is pregnant or over a certain age. Thanks for your replies.

No-one is branding you a "criminal". Being bankrupt is not a crime. However, if you are expected to be a financial account manager, handle budgets, or any other aspect of a company's cashflow, then people who have been made bankrupt can legitimately be disqualified from these employment spheres.

Businesses are not charities; they don't "have to" employ anyone they choose not to.

I'm sorry for your situation, OP - I really hope things improve for you soon. x

MrCooper

Coraline wrote: »

The only cases where we refused (which was rare) is if it was a case of massive, extenstive debts and court judgments.

But what has having poor credit got to do with someone's ability to do a job? Surely you should take other things into account, such as their previous good character? People fall into financial difficulty for all sorts of reasons - it doesn't make them bad people. Employers need to change this poor system. Nothing is ever as black and white as that.

Takeaway_Addict

MrCooper wrote: »

But what has having poor credit got to do with someone's ability to do a job? Surely you should take other things into account, such as their previous good character? People fall into financial difficulty for all sorts of reasons - it doesn't make them bad people. Employers need to change this poor system. Nothing is ever as black and white as that.

Because those in financial difficulty are statistically more likely to steal, commit fraud etc. Employers quite right reduce the risk of this happening.

I would suggest that if you have to give a credit report next time that you put a covering letter as to why you are in debt etc and what you are doing to get out of it.