Should employers ask about criminal records?

[DeaconSig]

http://www.npr.org/2014/07/14/330731820/how-banning-one-question-could-help-ex-offenders-land-a-job

Washington, D.C., is expected to join four states and several cities soon in prohibiting companies from asking job applicants — up front — if they have a criminal record.

It's part of a growing movement called Ban the Box, a reference to that box on a job application form that asks, "Have you ever been convicted of a crime?"

Advocates for the laws say having to check the box prevents many ex-offenders from getting a fair shot at a job.

Interesting question. This new ordinance (law?) in DC would not preclude companies from doing a background check later in the hiring process, but it would prevent a company from not considering applicants first without knowing about the criminal record.

As the article says, the best way to keep down rates of recidivism is to get ex-cons gainful employment. On the other hand, you probably can't hire somebody with a history of sexual assault to go into people's homes to do work.

Thoughts?

 

[Deacfreak07]

I assume most employers would not proceed with employment if they failed the background check. It's a shame too, because employment really does help lower recidivism obviously. We have very little belief in actually rehabilitating criminals in America, if we have any belief at all. It's pretty sad.

 

[DeaconSig]

I assume most employers would not proceed with employment if they failed the background check. It's a shame too, because employment really does help lower recidivism obviously. We have very little belief in actually rehabilitating criminals in America, if we have any belief at all. It's pretty sad.

I think the idea is that if you actually interview someone first and then do a background check, you might be more lenient on the criminal record. After all, you would have already met the person and had the opportunity to form your own opinion of them, instead of just tossing out the application because they admit they have a criminal record.

 

[Deacon923]

I think the idea is that if you actually interview someone first and then do a background check, you might be more lenient on the criminal record. After all, you would have already met the person and had the opportunity to form your own opinion of them, instead of just tossing out the application because they admit they have a criminal record.

on the other hand, if you come in for an interview and don't tell them what they're going to find on the background check, you look like you're hiding something (cause you are) and you're screwed.

 

[dmcheatw]

employers in this sort of stagnant economy must reduce the number of applicants before they put human eyes on them. out of 100 applicants they need to narrow it down to 10 before they can really do their research and possibly call past employers and consider an interview for the remaining 5. #'s are illustrative but i know you all get the point.

If you have a record and you mark no record that makes you a liar when the company does a quick google search. if you admit your record your application goes in the trash. damned if you do damned if you don't.

For jobs where you submit a CV criminal past never comes up but again with the way technology is it would be almost negligent not to do a quick google. all you need a full name and DOB, both of which get provided in advance to the employer.

if you do have a background it would be nice to be a pretty young girl and attach a pic to you app when submitting. If the boss is a heterosexual male or homo female, they might just overlook what they see on google.

point is, currently if you have a record, you have to search for jobs in particular ways, you can't just start submitting apps all over town, because they won't even be looked at in most cases.