I thought it was illegal to discriminate against someone based on their credit history...

That's what I thought.

I just talked to her and she's going to ask her superviser.

http://careercoach.wordpress.com/2006/04/25/bad-credit-could-affect-empl...

It really varies on the position. if you're in a situation where you'd handle the money, it can affect you negatively. It's not illegal at all to discriminate based on credit history, depending on the position.

I've had my credit checked at my last four employers before being hired. While my credit is ridiculously crazy bad, I've still landed the jobs, most likely due to the fact that I haven't had the responsibility with money.

I'd be a keyholder. It just involved open/closing. Whenever money is being dealt with there's always two people there. I've had a million retail jobs and my credit has never mattered before.

I'm in Canada too which might make a difference. From what I've read if they turn me down due to credit they have to tell me why.

Either way I told her in the interview I had bad credit (she asked what one thing was I'd like to do over. I told her If I could I would take back all the credit card abusing I did 4 or 5 years ago).

I'm just frustrated because I don't have a criminal record and I want this job so badly. Hopefully they'll let me get my own credit report and criminal check because something isn't sitting right with me.

I aced the interview and I know I'd be amazing for the position, so it just adds to all the other issues

best of luck to you ashli, it's been a while

I work in a jewelry store and you're darn tootin that your credit history can affect your employment eligibility. If you are in a job and you have bad credit you are a liability, plain and simple. Especially if you are handling any merchandise because someone who is desperate for money is more likely to steal, etc.

I am not sure what kind of prescreen you did, but I have had survey style screenings for companies as well that ask a bunch of seemingly random questions and if you do not pass those then you are automatically ineligible as well.

Credit history isn't all though, if you have iffy credit (like me) then having the necessary experience and time in that type of job as well as good recommendations and a clean background check then you are ok.

I agree that credit isn't everything, but i know a few smaller retail places that credit check after a woman locally was lifting fifty quid a week from the tills. It took a couple of months to get proof, and it turns out that she was heavily in debt.

I didn't have a credit check for my current job, but there was psychoanalytical screening.

I don't think they did a credit check on me :S

Well they made me feel like a criminal.

There was a questionnaire that I did, and she said I passed that with flying colours.

They use some company to check into your background,etc. I still think someone made a mistake somewhere. I have a ton of retail experience and I don't have a criminal record.

My references weren't even contacted. I do have credit, but like I said I was upfront about it. I've never stolen anything and I never would, plain and simple.

If they're not hiring me because of my credit legally they have to tell me.

Ps-Thanks Rory, I was wondering about you the other day. You're never on msn anymore

You may have to contact the company that did the check (it's often a third party) and then you'll have the fun of prooving you are who you are, but it shouldn't be impossible.