Lawsuit Challenges UMiami Use of Credit History in Job Screenings

A federal lawsuit contends that University of Miami credit history checks of job candidates discriminate unfairly against minorities.

The potential class-action lawsuit filed Monday claims that use of credit histories in hiring decisions violates the Civil Rights Act. The suit argues there is no link between credit histories and job performance or trustworthiness. It also says minorities tend to have more credit issues than whites and others.

The lawsuit seeking unspecified damages was filed on behalf of Loudy Appollon, an African-American woman who didn’t get a job at Miami’s medical school because of her credit history. The suit seeks to represent all similar unsuccessful job applicants since June 24, 2009.

The university declined to comment.