Dealing with Employers Who Perform Credit Checks?

Rick asks: "I recently accepted a Director level position at a small, 40 person, technology company. On my first day, I was provided with all of the standard employment paperwork such as the W2, NDA, healthcare, etc., as well as a document that is to provide my permission for the Company to do a comprehensive background check on me, including a credit history check. I am now in a stalemate position with my employer in regards to this background check document. I have refused to sign on the grounds that my personal credit information is of no business to the company and that they have no basis of need. The company argument (COO level so far, CEO is next) is that the company instituted this policy over a year ago for all existing employees and new hires, and to maintain consistency, every employee must comply. The company also maintains that the information allows them to identify potential problems with candidates or employees, in that people who cannot manage their own finances may not be good employees, or that those with troublesome credit may be more likely to steal from the company. The COO used less direct terms, but ultimately that was the argument. Have Slashdot readers successfully negotiated out of a mandatory employee credit check in the past? What arguments did you use?"

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Dagnabbit!

[ackthpt]

It is reasonable to assume that someone who isn't smart enough to manage his own money would mismanage company money. I never understood bad credit. Why would someone think he can spend more money he has and get away with it? If you can't afford something, don't buy it. Geeze.

Dag! There you go. Badmouthing the President of Unitey States! You're a terrorist, ain't ya? Everyone knows terrorists got lots of money! That's how they attrack attention to theyselves, payin they bills on time and blowin' stuff up.

Re:You've got to be kidding me....

[Qzukk]

Credit ratings are in fact accurate. If you have bad credit it is because you are not creditworthy or trustworthy in financial matters.

Say that to my face.

Or better yet, say that again when you've been in a major accident, miss two weeks of work, and the insurance company takes 4 months to pay off your medical bills, when you were reported to the collection agencies after 3 months.

Even better, say that when you've discovered someone had applied for a half-dozen lines of credit in your name, ran them up a few thousand dollars, and left you with the bill.

Credit reports are a load of bullshit, and using them to decide if person X might steal from you is even more bullshit (in America, its called innocent until proven guilty, and there is a whole criminal process to deal with people who steal from you).

Next thing we'll be hearing is that its ok to pre-emptively blow up countries that might cause a threat.