New Credit Report Statutes Affect Employment Background Checks

Of all the background checks we conduct at Corra Group none are more controversial than the employment credit report.    I have posted on this a number of times, one such report was entitled,  Follow Up on Credit Background Checks, discussed the ongoing issues of a tough economy and the attempt to limit employer usage of credit reports as part of their preemployment screening program.

When I have posted such articles about the benefits and pitfalls, I have often received negative emails regarding the fact that no studies have ever been conducted where poor  employee credit reports indicate whether or not an employee will have a propensity to steal.  Others claim it is unfair to pick on the less fortunate who have lost their jobs and suffered financial decline in the economic downturn.    some comments have excoriating us for promoting employment credit reports because we are only in it for the money.

Right now laws are being passed limited employer access to credit reports for job applicants.  Recently in Illinois, a new law was passed that was designed to limit employer use of credit reports to only those where the report would be relevant to the job itself.    Washington State, Hawaii, and Oregon, have similar laws on the books.   Here is a synopsis of the bill  known as IL-Public Act  96-1426, the Employee Credit Privacy Act.

“Synopsis As Introduced

Creates the Employee Credit Privacy Act. Prohibits employers from inquiring about or using an employee’s or prospective employee’s credit history as a basis for employment, recruitment, discharge, or compensation with some exceptions. Prohibits an employer from retaliating or discriminating against a person who files a complaint under the Act, participates in an investigation, proceeding, or action concerning a violation of the Act, or opposes a violation of the Act. Contains provisions concerning waiver and remedies.”

However, IL-96-1426 does stipulate the following–

As an exception, the Act allows employers to use credit information where such information is related to a “bona fide occupational requirement” for a particular position or group of employees. The bona fide occupational qualification applies generally to those positions involving money-handling or other confidential job duties. For example, employers may use credit information for employees whose duties require bonding under state or federal law; have unsupervised access to cash or certain assets valued at $2500 or more; or involve access to confidential information, financial information, or trade secrets.

Okay, so now that we know that employers cannot use credit reports to discriminate against job applicants or employees, unless the credit report would somehow show relevance to the position itself, then there are obviously still a good many areas where the credit report would apply.  Any employee in the financial area, or anyone with access to sensitive data or proprietary information could be subjected to a credit report as part of the series of background checks being conducted on that candidate.   Those aware of corporate secrets, presumably in research and development or attached to special projects could be subjected to the credit report as part of their background check.    Employees with access to inventory, warhouse workers, truckers and such, it would seem would also be open to consideration.

So who really do these laws eliminate from the process?  There are some employees, surely.   There are stock people, clerks, perhaps, certain IT people, service and maintenance personnel.   Maybe I am mistaken here, but overall I can’t see where the law is very limiting.  Frankly, I believe this is a good thing.  Many employers have spoken to me, complaining that they have had to spend undesired time on the phone, talking to creditors trying to secure payments from loans in default or outstanding debt from different personnel.  There are the persistent phone calls where credits wish to garnish wages and the paperwork that entails.    Bookkeepers and payroll personnel must address issues of garnishment.

This is a very tough economy.   Employers must focus first on keeping their business afloat.  Otherwise, nobody will be working there, good credit, bad credit, or no credit.

These are demanding economic times for just about every business.   As such the focus must be on moving the business forward rather than addressing employee or job applicants’ financial troubles and lousy credit.   It is a shame that people are in dire straits and personal credit ratings, overall, have been reduced substantially.  Nevertheless, in this economy, especially, that is how it it.   No changing that around.

There is also the issue of an employer’s rights.   It is one thing where employer’s must be equal opportunity employers when it comes to such considerations as ethnic background, sexual preference, or gender.   It is one thing to perhaps not deny a handicapped worker a position.  But every employer is still welcome to make its hiring decisions on the merits of the employment candidate.

They will consider school sets, education history, what school the applicant attended, for what companies they worked for, previously.  Were the prestigious companies?  Did they go to the better schools?

These are all concerns for any employer.  Even one’s social networking profile is being considered as part of the preemployment screening program.  So what not credit?   What would make credit reports so special that they would show discrimination.

As for studies as to whether employees with bad credit  or have a greater propensity to steal, no there are not studies.   But then there are no studies for a great many things.  There are, however, common beliefs, which can even be referred to as common wisdom.  No one sees it as anything remarkable that employee theft has increased with the tougher economic times.  These are not people out of work, but working people who are stealing from the job.   So if in tough times employee theft is on the increase, there is a certain logic regarding bad credit, financial ruin and the increased probability of theft.    Maybe this is delusional, but a great many employers don’t seem to think so.   Which is why, among other reasons, they utilize employee credit reports as part of their background checking process.

As for what is and what isn’t salient where an employment credit report  can be ordered on a potential employee, I am sure this will eventually go through the courts.   It has to.  Someone will challenge it.   It’s the logical choice.