Employer and credit history

When I signed all these papers at my new job, I had to sign something authorizing the company to do background checks, and gave a list of possible things like credit history. I understand criminal and credential checks, but why would they need to do a credit check?

When I did H/R the director told me that she was able to assess a person’s ablity to handle responsiblity for the job by the way he/she handles his/her finances. Also for certain positions it was manditory as they were bonded (i.e. servers, and other money handlers) and that the insurance required it.

I disagree with the first part of the statement as I have NEVER been anything but a reliable (and I have won many awards) employee but I didn’t have insurance and got ill and was young. So I charged my bills to visa and mc and couldn’t pay and my credit was so bad. I mean I couldn’t even get a secured credit card. It is OK now.

I have seen credit reports and they are pretty much your payment history. I personally would be much more interested in your criminal backround. You would not believe the number of women who have indecent exposure arrests. The director told me most of these are girls who get drunk in bars and flash someone their breasts.

A credit check can indicate whether a person is living beyond his means. Such a person might embezzel funds or steal property to sell so that he can meet his financial obligations. If someone who is being considered for a security clearance is deeply in debt, he might be a security risk because an enemy agent may offer him x dollars to violate security.

Names and addresses, man! :smiley:

From http://www.creditreport.com/creditsense/cr_employment.asp