In a poll conducted by The Society for Human Resource Management, 73% of employers reported conducting criminal background checks on all job candidates. There are many companies specializing in employment screening and each uses its own method to gather background data. More employers are also obtaining credit reports to make hiring decisions. If you live in one of the following six states, you should be aware that state law limits the use of credit reports for job screening: Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Oregon, and Washington. It is important for employers and consumers/job seekers to be aware of your rights under the Fair Credit Report Act (FCRA), a law that regulates the consumer reporting industry.
To learn more about your consumer rights, The Fair Credit Report ACT (FCRA), click on or copy the links below:
- Employer: http://business.ftc.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/bus66-businesses-must-provide-victims-and-law-enforcement-transaction-records-relating-identity.pdf
- Consumer/job seeker: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre01.pdf
