What do you think of criminal Record checks when applying for a job?

Expert Realtor

Being a criminal is CHOICE. It does not matter if it's shoplifing, etc. You don't break the law 'by accident', it's a deliberate act and complete disregard for authority.

THAT is why employers don't want former criminals working for them, expecially convicted felons.

You seem to think that most everyone has a criminal record and that it should be a "normal" part of life...that kind of attitude has got you where you are...and those are the types of people that employers don't want.

Everyone has to follow the law and you are no exception.

It is NOT discrimination b/c criminals are not a protected class, nor have ever been, in this country.

It doesn't matter if they "should be allowed" to ask for that information...it is PUBLIC information...that alone gives them the right whether you consent to it or not...the only thing that they cannot check without your permission is your credit report.

The law is on the side of the employers, and considering the Federal Government does background checks, that ought to tell you how likely the law is to change.

msbalisong

i don't feel that credit checks nor criminal records should be acceptable information to determine if an applicant is qualified for a position. neither provides information relative to employment, and it is definitely descriminatory and unfair.

ajsnskool

First of all, as an employer, we only run background checks on people who are handling money...yes, even cashiers. If someone has been convicted of shoplifting, theft of any sort, or other types of felonies (drugs, violence, murder, rape, etc) I don't want them working for me. Most people who steal don't only do it once and the first time wasn't a mistake. People who are violent aren't usually violent only once, especially if that violence escalated to a felony (or a misdemeanor). Criminal acts are deliberate acts. Sorry, but I have other employees and customers I need to think about, not the poor misunderstood felon. He can get a job somewhere else (how about construction? Landscaping? yep, its manual labor but he/she should've thought about that before.

As for credit checks, those are only done on people in supervisory positions and I do agree with them. If a person has a ton of debt, they may be more likely to steal from my company to help pay their own bills off. Poor credit many times also shows a poor ability to manage yourself, and also, your job responsibiilities. Yes I know, things can happen to destroy a person's credit (ie: a terrible divorce, a medical catastrophe) and that's where I think a person should be able to offer an explanation to an employer for the poor credit.

One question for you. You state that "many innocent people have been arrested and executed." Ok, innocent people get arrested, convicted and even jailed, but executed? Can you name one innocent person who was executed? Just curious.

OakTreeLeigh

It's an absolute invasion of privacy. I agree with checks as to whether someone's killed somebody or is a pedophile or something but not every job like these days.

guitar_gini

Criminal record checks are necessary for many employers that require good security (would you want to hire a person convicted of theft to work at a bank or storefront), but i dont think a credit check should be required to be because thats your private financial info and not everyone has credit.

trippedits

I think it depends on the job a person is applying for. I hire for three different positions in the company I work for. One of the positions require a criminal background check. The reason? It is a loss prevention job. If the person applying for the job has a felony theft conviction, I do not want them working a loss prevention job.

One of the positions is a credit check. The reason? They have the keys and security codes for 2 million dollars worth of inventory and a large amount of cash. If this person is in debt for thousands of dollars, their desperation might put them in a position to consider theft.

These situations do not mean the person will do that. If someone has bad credit but has taken steps to amend that, they will still be given keys based on their amends.

If you're working at McDonald's, no, a criminal check shouldn't be required. If you've got access to $2 million in inventory and loads of cash, I don't think it's unreasonable to check credit and criminal. The company pays for the checks and if there is a discrepency (someone w. a misdemeanor conviction that was coded as a felony, for example) the person becomes aware and can correct it.

saharaaj

For Indian readers
criminal check is required for a low level job but for ministers NO.

Sapien

Discriminate is the wrong word to describe it I think. Well i think their supposed to check nowadays you don't want to hire someone whose trying to hurt you for not giving them to work double or overtime or something.

Kathleen M

After reading other's responses regarding credit checks, I have to disagree.

My ex works for a company that makes LIVE credit cards. In order to be employed, the major credit card companies REQUIRE a credit check. If one does not have good credit, one cannot get the job. Also, random credit checks are done on employees during their employment.

The reason is that since the credit cards that are being made are LIVE, there is the potential for theft.

Having background checks and reference checks in place as part of the employment process as well as continued employment is good internal control.

Without internal control, businesses can fail.

Helena

It depends on the job you are applying for. If it is to work as a check out clerk, then no check should be required.
If you work with children or millions of dollars then yes it should be required.

A credit check is required if you work in the financial and investment industry, as well as a drug test.

? pita ?

Do IT!! YES.
I don't want a thief doing my banking...
or a pedophile watching kids...

a credit check can show how responsible you are.

keith.viccars

yes. it is in their best interest

Todd

I think it depends on the job. If someone were applying for a job at a bank or any job that involves fiduciary duties to a client, absolutely. Yes they should be allowed to ask these questions. I dont want an ex con artist doing my home loan or cleaning my house.

wanninonni

They are AWESOME!!!! Credit checks, I don't think that is anyone's business. However, if you are likely to be working in a bank and owe a ton on your credit cards, maybe credit checks are a good idea.

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