You may see us post on social media about Ban the Box legislation. Cities and counties all across the United States are adopting this new policy, but what is it?
The EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) affirmed removing the question “Have you ever been convicted of a felony?” from job applications. They have endorsed this so candidates have a fair chance at a job based on their qualifications, not the reputation of having a criminal record. This doesn’t mean that an employer cannot run a background check or must hire a candidate with a criminal conviction, it simply gives employers a chance to see if a person is qualified for a job before declining them due to criminal status.