Prohibition of Credit History for Employment Purposes

Effective immediately, Washington State, Oregon, and Hawaii have enacted new laws prohibiting the use of credit histories for employment purposes including hiring, discharge, promotion, and compensation.

The provides exceptions for financial institutions, public safety offices, and other employment if credit history is job-related and use is disclosed to the applicant or employee.

The law establishes any violation as unlawful employment practice, enforceable through the Bureau of Labor and Industries and civil action.

We recommend our clients consult with their legal counsel prior to ordering credit reports for employment purposes.

For more information about these laws might affect you, it is highly recommended you consult with an attorney. Before hiring or performing a credit check on any prospective employee from these states, be sure you understand the laws clearly.

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Illegal Immigrants with Criminal Records

Deportations are up 10% in the Pacific Northwest states of Washington, Oregon, and Alaska. 60% of those illegals deported were found to have criminal records, an astounding number.

The threat posed by these immigrants is imminent. Often hired illegally, criminal background checks are not imposed on them. They are working for less than then an American employee is, but the employer also knows less about them. Statistically, a person who has committed a crime is much more likely to commit another. The vulnerability the companies face is enormous. They do not even distinguish between those immigrants with misdemeanor records from those with violent pasts.

Earlier this month, Homeland Security released a list of 652 businesses nationwide that will receive audits of their work force - 26 are in the Pacific Northwest.

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