Drug Screens and Credit Reports
Some of you may know that I'm also a consultant. Lately, I've been getting some calls from some prospects, where I may have to travel elsewhere for a few months or so.
This has never been a problem in the past; it's not much of a problem now. However, one of the folks talking to me has thrown something into the mix that's just irking me to no end. They require not only a drug test, but also a credit report.
Now, I've always said that, if I were looking for a job, that there's no way I'd ever take a drug test. I've never taken anything other than prescription drugs in my entire life, but that's not the point. Not only do I feel it's a major invasion of privacy, but these days some of these weasels look for things outside of illegal drugs, and will do testing for things such as diabetes, or other types of diseases.
That's bad enough. The credit report thing is another thing entirely. Unless you're in a direct position where you might be handling money, I can't figure out why this might be a good thing for anyone. Why would an employer need to look at one's credit report? I mean, if someone has bad credit, maybe it's because they were out of a job for awhile, maybe? I mean, these are some major invasions of privacy, and I have major issues with both of them.
However, this isn't a real job, but a consulting assignment. Can I really equate a job that might pay $20 an hour with a consulting assignment that might pay as much as $150 an hour? Is one's morality suddenly linked to the size of the paycheck?
This reminds me of the moral question of whether, if someone came to you and asked if they could put something in your garage overnight, and they'd pay you $50,000, if you'd do it or not; the ramifications on all sides are overwhelming for some.
Well, the lucky thing right now is that nothing's guaranteed, and it's not the only thing that's sitting out there for me to do. I have some other options that are on the fringe, so, after initially being appalled and bothered, I've decided to work on my laws of attraction for one of the gigs that doesn't ask for either of those things. And when I put my mind to it,... well, we'll see.
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Catfish, I do agree with you on this one.
Because I really have no choice, I do submit to drug tests but I always screen the type of tests that are being done and will only submit to a test for illegal substances - I will never allow testing for any type of illness or disease, like diabetes or AIDES. But this past year I've had 2 or 3 companies that want to run a credit check on me and I've flatly refused to let them do so. I'm not applying for a job as a financial manager or even an accounts payable clerk. There is absolutely no reason anyone at these companies would need to know my credit score. What's next - will they want proof of how many times I week I work out - or how often I floss? Enough is enough.
I agree with PW on this Catfish
it is really ridiculas that we have to submit credit reports. I cannot understand why in the world that would have any bearing on whether or not you can do a job to the best of your ability. I dont like it and it should be banned from being done. I would not apply for a job if I had to submit a credit report-never. Same thing holds true when your getting your car insurance now. They can obtain a copy of your credit report. Why is that? What does that have to do with you paying your premium? I think it is an invasion of privacy, but we all have to have car insurance so what can you do?