In hopes of avoiding discrimination and to give former convicted criminals the ability to compete on an even playing field, a number of cities and states have implemented “ban the box” laws.” These laws prevent employers from printing a check box on their application forms where the candidate must check off whether they have ever been convicted of a criminal record.
Among other places, Minnesota, Buffalo, NY, and Seattle, WA have added themselves to a growing list of municipalities that have ban the box laws. While in all cases the ban the box statutes does not restrict employers form conducting background checks or refusing to hire convicted felons, it does cause employer to first estimate a job applicant’s qualifications on their own merits without the bias of knowing the applicant has a criminal record.
For more information on this subject, click on this link for the NELP or the National Employment Law Project.
