Credit Checks for Job Seekers: What Do You Think?

Are credit checks on job applicants discriminatory? The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is considering the question.

Why? Proponents of a ban say that if women, minorities and the disabled are paid less, they are more likely to have lower credit scores. According to statistics from Kiplinger, 13% of companies use such checks for all job openings. That number rises to nearly 50% for jobs with financial responsibilities.

Seems like a bit of a jump that you automatically equate lower pay with a reduced credit score, but I’ll give that it’s a tricky one. Your thoughts?