Employers can’t go checking your credit history behind your back. Thanks to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). They must have written consent before pulling an applicant’s credit history.
But yes, for a potential hire, sometimes employers check credit to get insights of financial distress that might indicate risk of theft or fraud. They don’t get your credit score, but instead see a modified version of your credit report.
Potential employers see a modified version of your credit report but omits information that might violate equal employment regulations, such as your birth year or marital status. An employer credit report does not show your credit score or disclose any account numbers.