The Unintended Consequences of Employer Credit Check Bans on Labor and Credit Markets
44 Pages Posted: 17 Jan 2018
Date Written: January 10, 2018
Abstract
Since the Great Recession, 11 states have restricted employers’ access to the credit reports of job applicants. We document that county-level vacancies decline between 9.5 percent and 12.4 percent after states enact these laws. Vacancies decline significantly in affected occupations but remain constant in those that are exempt, and the decline is larger in counties with many subprime residents. Furthermore, subprime borrowers fall behind on more debt payments and reduce credit inquiries postban. The evidence suggests that, counter to their intent, employer credit check bans disrupt labor and credit markets, especially for subprime workers.
Keywords: unemployment rate, credit score, credit check
JEL Classification: J08, J23, J78
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation