| WILL FILING FOR BANKRUPTCY HURT MY | | | | this title or that was discharged under the |
| CHANCES OF FINDING A JOB? Bankruptcy | | | | Bankruptcy Act. " |
| attorneys are often asked whether someone can | | | | In other words, if you're fired solely because you |
| be fired from their job if they file for bankruptcy. | | | | filed for bankruptcy, your employer is breaking |
| | | | | the law, and you can sue for losses and damages. |
| The short answer is NO. | | | | However, if you are currently looking for work, a |
| | | | | potential employer does have the right to ask |
| The Bankruptcy Code contains specific | | | | whether you have filed for bankruptcy in the |
| protections for people who file. Section 525(b) | | | | past. Potential employers can also request |
| says: "No private employer may terminate the | | | | permission to pull your credit report in reviewing |
| employment of, or discriminate with respect to | | | | your application for employment. |
| employment against, an individual who is or has | | | | This type of inquiry happens most often for job |
| been a debtor under this title, a debtor or | | | | seekers looking for work in the financial industry, |
| bankrupt under the Bankruptcy Act, or an | | | | such as banking. I frequently recommend that job |
| individual associated with such debtor or bankrupt, | | | | seekers divulge past bankruptcy filings openly as |
| solely because such debtor or bankrupt— (1) is | | | | soon as an inquiry about bankruptcy from a |
| or has been a debtor under this title or a debtor | | | | potential employer is made. Being open and |
| or bankrupt under the Bankruptcy Act; (2) has | | | | honest about the circumstances of why you filed |
| been insolvent before the commencement of a | | | | for bankruptcy may help an interviewer |
| case under this title or during the case but before | | | | understand that bankruptcy was an extraordinary |
| the grant or denial of a discharge; or (3) has not | | | | circumstance in your life, and not an indication of |
| paid a debt that is dischargeable in a case under | | | | neglect or mismanagement. |