Md. State Senators hope to ban employers' credit checks

[madinmaryland]

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/legislature/bal-employers-credit0121,0,6847190.story

Two Maryland senators hope to prohibit many employers from performing credit checks on job applicants.

Sens. Mike Lenett, a Montgomery Democrat, and Catherine Pugh, a Baltimore City Democrat, are sponsoring the legislation.

Lenett says several unemployed constituents have told him that they were not hired for jobs because of poor credit history. He says this practice is the "all-time Catch 22" in this tough economy because the people most likely to have trouble paying bills are those who have lost jobs and are looking for new ones.

The bill would exclude certain types of positions where Lenett says a credit check could be relevant when employers are making hiring decisions.

Why has no-one thought of this legislation to protect employees.

[Donnachaidh]

1. This is something I've always thought should be done

Unless you are going into a job that requires you to handle sums of money WTF should an employer have the right to access your credit score? It's NONE of their damned business.

[Vincardog]

5. If your job involves handling large sums of money, why wouldn't checking your CRIMINAL record work?

[Bitwit1234]

6. A credit report is not a criminal report.

If a person is behind in payments because he lost a job or for other reasons that is not sufficient for them not to get a job. For example I see where the Vice president or some big wig at Radio Shack was stealing money and stuff from the company. He had a perfect credit report. So what does that prove. Get the point...if they are criminals, they should not be allowed to handle money. But just because they had a hard time doesn't mean they are not honest.

[joeybee12]

2. What does a credit check have to do with job qualifications?

Let's hope this takes root nationally.

[madinmaryland]

4. In most cases, absolutely nothing.

[TornadoTN]

3. This is a great plan. We also need to end "Employment at Will"

Employment at will essentially gives your employer the opportunity to get rid of your for ANY reason at all, with no notice. The reason could be as simple as "you have brown hair" or "you are a Democrat" and they can get away with it.