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The NYC Coalition to Stop Credit Checks in Employment celebrated a historic labor and civil rights victory in 2015, when New York City enacted the nation’s strongest law banning employment credit checks. The coalition, which long fought to end this pernicious form of employment discrimination, now focuses on monitoring implementation and enforcement of the new law. Contact us for more information or to get involved. |
The Stop Credit Discrimination in Employment Act Goes Into Effect!
September 3, 2015 – Today, the NYC Coalition to Stop Credit Checks in Employment celebrates implementation of the “Stop Credit Discrimination in Employment Act,” a law that prohibits employers in NYC from checking the credit histories of potential hires and current employees. The Coalition of over 80 community, labor, civil rights and student organizations led the campaign to ban employment credit checks, a pernicious form of employment discrimination that disproportionately harms low income New Yorkers and people of color.
NYC’s new law – the strongest of its kind in the country – amends the local Human Rights Law and makes it illegal for employers to ask about or in any way use consumer credit information in making hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation or any other employment decisions.
The Coalition looks forward to working closely with the City’s Commission on Human Rights to ensure that workers know their rights and that the City strongly enforces this landmark labor protection. Job-seekers who feel that their rights have been compromised can begin filing complaints about this practice today, by calling 311.
The NYC Commission on Human Rights will be hosting “Know Your Rights” trainings for workers, as well as “Know Your Obligations” trainings for employers, throughout the city. For more information, visit the Commission’s website at www.nyc.gov/cchr.
New York City Commission on Human Rights Announces Training Sessions on New Law
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August 26, 2015 – The New York City Commission on Human Rights has announced a series of upcoming trainings on the new Stop Credit Discrimination in Employment Act, which goes into effect on September 3. The Commission is offering sessions targeted toward both employers and employees. Learn more about the training events and register to attend here. |
Labor-Community Coalition Celebrates Major Civil Rights Victory for New Yorkers
Mayor de Blasio Signs Intro. 261, Strongest Employment Credit Check Ban in the Nation
May 6, 2015 – Today, members of the NYC Coalition to Stop Credit Checks in Employment joined Mayor Bill de Blasio and lead bill sponsor Councilmember Brad Lander for the signing of Intro. 261, the “Stop Credit Discrimination in Employment Act.” The signing of this legislation is the result of a multi-year campaign waged by the coalition of over 75 community, labor, civil rights and student organizations to ban the use of credit checks in employment. Pointing to the discriminatory impact it creates for communities ravaged by predatory lending and skyrocketing student debt, the coalition thanked the Mayor for his support in bringing down this unjustified, discriminatory barrier to jobs.
Labor-Community Coalition Celebrates Passage of Legislation Banning Employment Credit Checks
NYPIRG’s Armando Chapelliquen and others celebrate passage of Intro. 261, the Stop Credit Discrimination in Employment Act. Check out more pictures from today’s event here.
NYC Council Passes Strongest Employment Credit Check Ban in the Nation
NEW YORK, N.Y., April 16, 2015 – Today, members of the NYC Coalition to Stop Credit Checks in Employment joined with working New Yorkers and City Council members in support of the passage of the “Stop Credit Discrimination in Employment Act,” a bill that will eliminate the unfair and discriminatory use of credit checks by employers in New York City. The coalition of 79 community, labor, civil rights and student organizations have long fought for a ban on employment credit checks, insisting that they are an unjustified, discriminatory barrier to jobs, which disproportionately harm people of color. Members of the coalition, City Council members, and the New Yorkers harmed by employment credit checks all spoke out in support of the bill that will be the strongest such piece of legislation in the country.
COALITION APPLAUDS NYC’S ACTION TO BAN EMPLOYMENT CREDIT CHECK
NYC Council Set to Pass Strongest Such Legislation in Country
Coalition Commends Mayor & City Council for Vital Civil Rights Legislation
April 13, 2015 – The NYC Coalition to Stop Credit Checks in Employment commends New York City for taking action to end employment credit checks. This week, the City Council is expected to pass, with an overwhelming majority, the Stop Credit Discrimination in Employment Act (Intro 261), introduced by Council Member Brad Lander and co- sponsored by 41 members of the Council and the NYC Public Advocate. Intro 261 will be the strongest law of its kind in the country, banning employers in NYC from requesting or using someone’s personal credit history for hiring, promotion, or job-retention decisions.
Our coalition of 79 community, labor, civil rights and student organizations fought for a ban on employment credit checks, to remove an unjustified, discriminatory barrier to jobs. Employment credit checks block qualified workers from desperately-needed jobs — including people whose credit was damaged as a result of medical debts, divorce, layoffs or other life events beyond their control. Employment credit checks discriminate against low-income New Yorkers and people of color, who have been disproportionately affected by predatory lending and the economic downturn. New York City’s passage of this legislation will advance civil rights and economic opportunity for all in our city.
Intro 261 exempts certain limited categories of jobs from the prohibition on use of credit checks. The legislation requires the Human Rights Commission to issue a report after two years, analyzing whether these exemptions create unfair barriers to jobs.
The Coalition looks forward to continuing to work with the City to ensure effective implementation and enforcement of this vital civil rights law.
For Inquiries:
New Economy Project: Sarah Ludwig, 212-680-5100 x207, sarah@neweconomynyc.org
DC37: Robert Martin, 212-815-1810, Rmartin@dc37.net
Demos: Nikki Cannon, 212-485-6012, ncannon@demos.org
MFY: Evan Denerstein, 212-417-3760, edenerstein@mfy.org
NYPIRG: Armando Chapelliquen, 973-934-8485, achapelliquen@nypirg.org
RWDSU/RAP: Janna Pea, 212-684-5300, jpea@rwdsu.org
Coalition Statement — March 31, 2015
The NYC Coalition to Stop Credit Checks in Employment has been working with the de Blasio administration and City Council to negotiate a truly effective bill that would end employment credit checks. We are optimistic that we will through this process reach a positive bill that reflects a progressive vision for the city.
