Denied ad sales job due to adverse credit

[sport77]

Jurisdiction

Illinois

I had a final round job interview scheduled for a position based in Illinois. I had to cancel last minute due to illness. I emailed the employer to reschedule and the employer emailed me back to say that I had failed a credit check and they would not be pursuing me as a candidate anymore. Is this legal to do in Illinois. The job is a sales job, does not involve any real financial responsibility. FYI, I did consent to the credit check. Thank you.

 

[adjusterjack]

Yes, it's legal if the job involves:

(1) State or federal law requires bonding or other
security covering an individual holding the position.
(2) The duties of the position include custody of or
unsupervised access to cash or marketable assets valued at
$2,500 or more.
(3) The duties of the position include signatory power
over business assets of $100 or more per transaction.
(4) The position is a managerial position which
involves setting the direction or control of the business.
(5) The position involves access to personal or
confidential information, financial information, trade
secrets, or State or national security information.
(6) The position meets criteria in administrative
rules, if any, that the U.S. Department of Labor or the
Illinois Department of Labor has promulgated to establish
the circumstances in which a credit history is a bona fide
occupational requirement.
(7) The employee's or applicant's credit history is
otherwise required by or exempt under federal or State law.

That's quoted from the Illinois Employee Credit Privacy Act:

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publ...?Name=096-1426

Looks like at least Item 5 may apply to a sales position.

The reality is that how you pay your bills can be indicative of your level of responsibility in other areas.

I suggest that you obtain all three of your credit reports and check them carefully for accuracy. They are available free once a year at

www.annualcreditreport.com

 

[Betty3]

You might want to read this link:

Credit Checks - Workplace Fairness