Credit file blocking job opportunities

baggyann

Hi,
Hi, I've posted this in employment also but hoped to get a variety of responses

Having recently been made redundant I am finding it really frustrating that despite my high skill set, professional qualifications and over 10 years of experience in the banking industry, I am being turned down left, right and centre because of my credit history.

I have always held roles in the banking sector and my personal finances have not ever impacted on my ability to perform in a role, in fact I have, year on year progressed up the ladder. Is it not a form of discrimination to perform a credit check and base decisions of employment on them?

At the end of the day employers aren't allowed to provide bad references incase of prejudice so why aren't credit checks viewed in the same vain? Particularly in this climate?

Thrugelmir

Credit history isn't merely financial. Says a lot about you as individual. Your character.

Eonel

Double post

Eonel

baggyann wrote: »

At the end of the day employers aren't allowed to provide bad references incase of prejudice so why aren't credit checks viewed in the same vain? Particularly in this climate?

Your credit record is a statement of fact about you - like your qualifications or your criminal record - valid data for potential employers to use.

References are problematic if they are subjective. Hence many references just stick to basic facts - started on X date, left at Y date, earned Z amount.

eastanglian1

I suppose it's no different trying to sign up for the Police force with a criminal record it won't happen.

Tiddlywinks

Is your file accurate?

If no, contact the company to correct the entries.

If yes, then the employer is seeing factual information about you and basing their decision on that.

Tiddlywinks

Here is the other thread...

It will save a lot of repetition.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/64413023#Comment_64413023

Esoog

eastanglian1 wrote: »

I suppose it's no different trying to sign up for the Police force with a criminal record it won't happen.

Not entirely true, you can join with cautions and minor convictions. Over 1000 serving Officers have some form of record.

eastanglian1

Esoog wrote: »

Not entirely true, you can join with cautions and minor convictions. Over 1000 serving Officers have some form of record.

What are minor convictions?

tinkerbell28

It is not discrimination, no.

baggyann

Thank you for your replies. Apologies for the double post, wasn't sure where it best fit.
I'll keep trying and try and stay positive. I hope that my past doesn't block my future for long. The other feed has been helpful with suggestions so if any of you are in a similar position it's worth a read.

Thanks again.