Credit checks of job applicants legal in PA

It may take more to get a job in this economy than just experience. In most states, including Pennsylvania, it’s not against the law companies to do credit checks on job applicants.

It may take more to get a job in this economy than just experience. In most states, including Pennsylvania, it’s not against the law companies to do credit checks on job applicants.

Listen:
[audio: 090807lfcredit.mp3]

Labor and employment attorney Carrie Rosen says while it is legal for companies to do credit checks, whether it’s a good idea depends on the employer’s industry and the specific job.

Rosen: I’m not sure what information that’s going to give you that will tell you if a person’s going to be a good secretary. Conversely, if you’re hiring someone to be a C.F.O. or a bank manager or somebody that’s going to have a day-to-day interaction with finances or money, then maybe you do want to know whether that person has any financial problems in their past that might make them more likely to steal money from your company.

Some employers say with so many job applications rolling in, credit checks are one more way to narrow the field. But employment counselors say it may be making it even harder for the unemployed people who are struggling to get jobs.