Pretty sure I'm gonna get terminated....

[Food Lady]

So, to make a long story short, I found out tonight 5 of the people our store let go this past few months got the axe because they weren't able to pay their credit bills (lot of employees have the store card). It's automatic term if you default. I've been having issues with all my bills due to payroll cuts, was on a payment plan that ended, and was trying to make another one but couldn't come up with the min they needed. So as of 3 days ago my acct has gone to collection agency. I'm next.

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

Oh no.

This is why I will not sign up for the swamp's Visa card, even though I had considered it. If the day ever comes that I would end up behind on the bill, it would be my job at risk. They'd consider it the same as stealing.

[Squeaksmyalias]

That seems so screwed up. I'm not sure what else to say
But I'll wish you good luck and hope you are able to keep your job.

[fireheart]

Is it a condition of employment that you sign up for the card?

[Food Lady]

Is it a condition of employment that you sign up for the card?

No. I had a store card long before I worked there. As an employee I upgraded to the VISA. I think Irv is wise.

[Javarod]

Is that even legal? Considering that they're your employer, they've a bit of a conflict of interest i would think, since they control whether you can pay your bill or not.

[Aethian]

When Mom worked part time at the red bullseye she was told she HAD to get the card. So she tried for the employee card and was told she didn't make enough to qualify.

[r2cagle]

Would getting a personal debt consolidation 'bank' loan be an option for you?

I had to do that years ago when the amount of bills outpaced my income. Consolidating them on a bank loan with a lower interest rate gave me some breathing room to get everything caught up and I was able to pay off the loan twice as fast once I was able to make double payments. Plus I borrowed about $1000 more than I needed to pay bills in order to have a savings cushion in case of emergency, since I had saved nothing to that point.

Just a thought. You'd need to crunch the numbers to be sure it's a viable option for you, though.

[JLG]

I am sorry to hear that. I hope you get to keep your job

Keep us updated.

[fireheart]

Is that even legal? Considering that they're your employer, they've a bit of a conflict of interest i would think, since they control whether you can pay your bill or not.

What he said.

Check with anyone who can provide legal advice in that matter.

[wagegoth]

Nordstrom will fire any employee with credit issues, especially if they file for bankruptcy. They will not hire anyone with credit issues.

A long-time employee had his identity stolen a number of years ago and was fired because of the credit issues that arose. Nordstrom didn't care.

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

I think know Irv is wise.

Shamelessly corrected for an ego trip.

I think the practice of firing somebody over credit issues is crap, but I have noticed more places saying that you need to have a good credit history to even apply. But how on earth is a person supposed to get out of a bad credit situation if they can't get a job?

I have shitty credit thanks to an ex of mine and I've yet to be able to completely get out of it. To be turned down for a job due to that mess would be another bitter blow.

One mitigating thing working against the OP is the credit card is issued by the store she works for. So carrying a balance on the card is probably being seen as stealing from the company.

As for firing or refusing to hire based on credit issues not related to an employer's credit card--the only guess I can make on the reason for that is employers think bad credit is a sign of irresponsibility. Or something. It's probably just another one of those asinine things they teach in business school nowadays, like never promote from within and when all else fails, cut payroll.

[telecom_goddess]

When Mom worked part time at the red bullseye she was told she HAD to get the card. So she tried for the employee card and was told she didn't make enough to qualify.

wtf? She has to get the card and then they don't pay her enough to get it? What happened to her job?

Years ago I used to work at a department store and had their card but luckily at that time didn't default on it or anything, it got paid off and then not used ever again.

[elsporko]

Do they allow you to pay your balance with another credit card? Seems like you could do that and carry the debt on a card that won't get you fired.

[Aisling]

wtf? She has to get the card and then they don't pay her enough to get it? What happened to her job?

Nobody made her use it.

As dick a move as firing people over credit problems is (and I agree it's right up near the top of the list), nobody makes people use credit cards. I haven't had one for years and it's really not a problem.