Philly Bans Criminal History Box on Public and Private Job Applications
Come July, job seekers in Philadelphia have one less box to check on employment applications.
The city recently banned the criminal history box—or related inquires—on job applications at private and public institutions, joining a growing number of cities and states including Massachusetts, Hawaii, Seattle and Chicago, the National Law Review reports.
The “Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards,” law prevents nonexempt employers from asking job applicants about prior arrests and convictions during the application process or first interview. The legislation also prohibits inquiries into nonpending arrests or criminal accusations that didn’t result in a conviction. The ordinance does provide exemptions for some institutions under additional laws, such as banks and child care service providers.
New Mexico, California, Minnesota, and Connecticut have also passed similar legislation for public enterprises.