Employer has requested credit report. Are they even allowed to do this?

Martinslovechild

In a nutshell, my employer wants to issue staff with new contracts which are mainly a rewrite of the old contracts, with a couple of additions.

One thing they're requesting is a recent copy of my credit report. I've heard of employers performing a credit check (which will tell them if I have any CCJs, loan defaults etc - but crucially not specific details of outstanding balances, credit cards, mortgages etc) - but I've never heard of an employer asking employees for a copy of their credit report.

Whilst there's nothing bad in there which makes me worried, I'm concerned that my boss suddenly has full visibility of my finances - something which strikes me as plain wrong.

Are they even allowed to do this - or should I refuse? I'm happy for them to go ahead and perform the credit check, but I really don't want them seeing my report.

Thanks in advance.

pathtofreedom

I've been credit checked and security checked for different jobs, but I've never had to provide my own credit check. I'm not sure how that would work exactly, I think you're right to ask questions, especially about how it will be stored once you gave it to them as well.

usefulmale

Refuse, full stop. Don't get into any arguements or debates about it. Contact your union rep.

Andy_L

How long have you worked there?

agrinnall

Obviously they can ask, because they have. Equally, they could ask you to do a handstand when you come to work. The question in both cases is whether you have to do it. And that may depend on what your job is: if you're an acrobat, then the handstand may be acceptable, if you work in financial services (perhaps in a regulated position) then it could be reasonable to want to see your credit report.

Asking your union is the smart thing to do, but I have this feeling that you're going to tell us you're not in a union, in which case you might have to consult an employment law expert - perhaps get your colleagues to join you as I've no doubt it'll be a pretty expensive consultation.

Martinslovechild

Many Thanks everybody for all the info.

I flagged this issue up with HR and, as a result, they offered instead to perform a 'soft search' credit check. They also emailed all other employees and offered them the same. I suspect that new starters may well receive the same form as I have, and I guess that they'll need to ask the same question at that time, but this issue now looks to be resolved.

@usefulmale - many thanks for your suggestion. My first thought was exactly this - I wouldn't want an employer having full transparency over my finances, despite whether the finances are good or bad.