TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Shirley K. Turner and Nia H. Gill that would end employment discrimination based on an individual’s credit history or financial status was approved today by the full Senate.
“People across our state are facing extraordinary financial challenges as a result of the economic recession. Many residents have been unable to find work, some for months on end, and have been forced to choose between paying credit card bills and feeding their families,” said Senator Turner (D-Mercer). “Denying these individuals employment because of their financial circumstances is just wrong. Moreover, it creates a ‘Catch 22’ that leaves them unable to get a job, in order to pay down debt and repair their damaged credit.”
“The use of credit checks as a tool to screen all applicants for a position is unacceptable. It punishes those who may have been forced into challenging financial situations for any number of reasons, be it a layoff, a divorce, an unexpected medical emergency or a family crisis,” said Senator Gill (D-Essex/Passaic). “It is absolutely unfair to penalize those who are attempting to regain their financial footing through new employment simply because they have fallen on hard times. This legislation will end this practice and help to provide a fair playing field for those who need jobs most.”
