There Is A Major Flaw In Background Checks

For many years, companies and the government have had certain criteria for background checks. However, one major factor in these background checks is fundamentally flawed. Credit checks.

For many occupations, a background check which shows an applicant has existing debt or a less than perfect credit rating will automatically discredit that applicant. This is especially true in security positions and financial management occupations, including bank tellers. One should note that some of these positions do not pay extremely well, such as bank teller positions.

Anyone who pays attention knows that many of the worst, most prolific criminals who have committed crimes which affect thousands of lives at a time have had perfect credit ratings. Bernie Madoff, the CEO’s of Bear-Sterns, JP Morgan, Raytheon, Boeing, weapons manufacturers all have shining credit ratings, yet look at the theft, suffering and destruction they have caused.

I’m not saying that personal finance should not play a role in background checks. However, far too much emphasis is placed on credit checks. Of course, the people who set the standards for background checks have their own agendas and biases which place concern for money well over the concern for ethics, honesty or even human life. Of course the criteria are set to ensure the applicant has the exact same set of priorities as the employer.

A person having flaws in their credit history or having debt is not a sign in itself of personal failing…