To work at Lowe's, a credit check is required

kittycarr

I quit the application when I came to that part.  Why does Lowe's need to know my credit sucks?

penguingrrl

That seems standard for retail jobs. I've had that a few places I've worked. Unfortunately it has to do with risk management for the company. I think there's an unfortunate correlation between lower credit scores and internal theft.

august06mom

I think it's pretty common to have your credit checked when you apply for a job that handles money.

kittycarr

I guess.  That just means I wouldn't be considered.  I don't steal money, but my credit is in the toilet.  When our (serious) financial issues began three years ago, we've had a hard time coming out of it so they'd probably consider me a risk.

juniper19

Here's an article about it:

https://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/10/business/10credit.html

Apparently whatever research there is on the topic shows there's no correlation between credit worthiness and theft, but employers use it anyway.

Mc_Newlywed

I would still apply.  I mean, they can see patterns from the report.   So they'll be able to determine if your credit sucks because of problems you had 3 yrs ago, or because you currently have 15 open accounts that are all 60+ past due. 

 

kittycarr

Gotcha.  Didn't think of it that way.  

penguingrrl

I would definitely still apply. My credit isn't stellar right now due to medical bills and Gap happily hired me last fall. Often that will confirm a sense the manager gets at an interview, not make or break an application.

karen6784

True.  I have bad credit and was able to get a job at a bank.  The worst they could say is no. 

Cheriemimi

Believe it or not, many companies will hire you, even if your credit sucks.  I think it's just a thing they feel they "have" to do these days.  I have terrible credit and I have always been able to find a job, even as a cashier.

 Good luck!!! 

mrsmikey

My employer runs a credit check on everyone, but they don't care what the results are.  They just do it to conform to some audit standards we have.  They straight up told us they only did it to have in our file for the audit.

kevschickee2

Target does one too.  Its the norm when it comes to retail jobs

Jodi&Joe

They also run it because if you are irresponsible with money, you likely will be irresponsible as an employee as well.  (or so they say, statistically anyway).

HOWEVER, most employers don't even use the information (as a PP stated) and would still likely hire you even with a crappy credit score.  They DO however use it when they feel the candidate is not a good fit but have no other solid reason to not hire them.