when applying for a job, employers are asking for credit check form WITH the application?
loika61 asked:
Hey there- I am applying for jobs and noticing that many companies require you to fill out the credit check application or background check and hand it in with your application. This requires your date of birth prior to the interview (along with SS# for all to see) How does this conflict work with the potential of age discrimination? My prior company did these after offer and results dependent upon actual hire. Any thoughts?
DICK
Hey there- I am applying for jobs and noticing that many companies require you to fill out the credit check application or background check and hand it in with your application. This requires your date of birth prior to the interview (along with SS# for all to see) How does this conflict work with the potential of age discrimination? My prior company did these after offer and results dependent upon actual hire. Any thoughts?
DICK
October 22nd, 2009 at 7:19 pm
GILBERT
I don’t think it conflicts with the laws against age discrimination. A lot of companies ask for reference check information with the application in order to make the process more expedient. That way if they want to make you an offer, they have everything they need to move forward with the hire, rather than having to wait for you to get back to them with more information.
I think it would be difficult to prove age discrimination just because you provided your date of birth on a reference check form. If it was a more blatant request, like the interviewer asking you directly how old you are, that would be in violation of most states’ protected status guidelines.
October 24th, 2009 at 3:08 am
MONTE
Huh? What does that have to do w/ age discrimination? They’re hiring based on how broke and desperate you look, they dont’ want thieves working for them. I doubt the date of birth was the deciding factor!
October 24th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
JAMAL
An employer can ask for this information in order to do a credit and background screen to make sure you don’t have a criminal record and that you are a trustworthy person. This is perfectly legal for them to do. On the other hand if a potential employer asked you over the phone or in an interview how old you were then this is illegal questioning. Also some positions require you to be over a certain age in order to perform the duties (like serving alcohol, or driving) and so it is necessary to determine your age.