Beginning July 7, 2016, employers in Philadelphia may not consider credit history or other credit-related information for job-related decisions for many non-managerial jobs. This change stems from an amendment to the Fair Practices Ordinance approved by City Council and signed by Mayor Jim Kenney. Subject to certain exemptions, the amendment makes it an unlawful discriminatory practice for a covered employer to procure, to seek to procure, or to use credit information of an employee or applicant in connection with hiring, discharge, tenure, promotion, discipline, or consideration of any other “term, condition, or privilege of employment” for the employee or applicant. Philadelphia employers should guard against potential pitfalls of the new law. The amendment also makes it unlawful for an employer to procure or to seek a person’s cooperation or consent to procure credit information.

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