 TITLE: Can You Get a Job With Bad Credit? CONTENT: Background Checks and Employees' Rights\n---------------------------------------\nWhether an employer decides to hire you is up to them. But you still have rights, especially when it comes to your credit report. Employers can run a background check as part of the application process, which may include pulling your credit report as well. However, they must abide by the rules set out in the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which include a number of protections for consumers.\nEmployers are obligated to:\n1.  Get your permission before running a credit check. A prospective employer must explicitly state that they want to pull your credit as part of a background check, and you have to give the OK before they can access that information. The law requires that they explain the background and credit check requirement in a document separate from their standard job application so that you understand how the information will be used. You must sign a separate form giving the employer permission to access your credit report. If you agree to the check, it's a good idea to ask whether you're consenting to a one-time check or to routine checks throughout your employment, if you get the job. Some states require that employers give you a copy of your report, regardless of whether they hire you.\n2.  Tell you if they don't hire you because of your credit. Employers must inform you if your credit was a factor in your disqualification, and they're legally obligated to share with you the credit report they viewed. They're also required to provide you a summary of your FCRA rights. If you're turned down for a job because of your credit, take the time to review the provided credit report to better understand where you need to improve in order to qualify for future roles.\n3.  Give you an opportunity to dispute the report. You have the right to review your credit report and dispute any inaccuracies that may have influenced the hiring decision. In addition to responding to the company's decision, you'll likely want to file a dispute with the three credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion and Equifax) as well, so future employers and lenders don't also receive incorrect information about your credit.\nThe extent to which employers can use a credit report in hiring decisions also varies from state to state. The following states prohibit companies from making hiring decisions based solely on credit:\n*   California\n*   Colorado\n*   Connecticut\n*   Delaware (restriction only applies to public employers)\n*   Hawaii\n*   Illinois\n*   Maryland\n*   Nevada\n*   Oregon\n*   Vermont\n*   Washington\nIn New York City and Chicago, employers are barred from using credit checks altogether. To learn more about your rights where you live, you can contact your local department of labor.\nYou don't have to worry about an employer credit check hurting your credit score. These checks are considered soft inquiries, which are not factored into credit score calculations. They're different from a hard inquiry that may appear when you apply for a credit account or loan. Hard inquiries have the potential to bring down your credit score by a few points. END