Workplace Prof Blog notes here that the EEOC has filed a class action suit against an employer in Dallas for the use of credit history and criminal background as selection crieria in the hiring process.  The EEOC has long argued that such crieria have a disparate impact on minority groups, but apparently have increased enforcement activity in this area recently.  This is a good reminder that the hiring process is a critical area to monitor for practices that potentially have a disparate impact on minority or other protected applicants — particularly hot button areas such as credit history and criminal background.