{"id":1158,"date":"2017-12-22T10:10:47","date_gmt":"2017-12-22T10:10:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hrdirectapps.com\/blog\/?p=1158"},"modified":"2018-12-28T18:58:39","modified_gmt":"2018-12-28T18:58:39","slug":"does-your-state-ban-the-box-with-job-applications","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hrdirectapps.com\/blog\/does-your-state-ban-the-box-with-job-applications\/","title":{"rendered":"Does Your State Ban the Box with Job Applications? What You Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"

This article was updated on 12\/28\/2018.<\/em><\/p>\r\n

Across the nation, laws restricting employers from asking job candidates about criminal histories are on the rise. As of September 2017, more than 150 cities and counties and 29 states have adopted laws that limit what you can ask job applicants.<\/p>\r\n

Known as \u201cban-the-box\u201d legislation, the new rules are designed to give individuals with a criminal history a fair chance at employment. Removing the question \u201dHave you ever been convicted of a crime?<\/em>\u201d from job applications encourages employers to consider a candidate\u2019s qualifications first, rather than rejecting someone outright because of a criminal past.<\/p>\r\n

Yet, in most cases, the laws go beyond just requiring you to remove a check box from application forms. Understanding and complying with fair-chance hiring laws can be confusing, especially if they contradict or overlap with existing anti-discrimination laws. How do you know if you\u2019re covered? Here\u2019s an overview with some tips to help you comply.<\/p>\r\n

Does It Apply to My Business?<\/h2>\r\n

If you\u2019re in a major urban area, chances are high that ban-the-box laws apply to your business. More than two-thirds of the U.S. population \u2014 at least 226 million people \u2014 live where some form of ban-the-box or fair-chance policy applies.<\/p>\r\n

\r\n
Based on the results of HRdirect\u2019s Small Business Hiring Practices survey<\/div> 28% respondents said their state does not enforce ban-the-box laws. Yet, 50 of those respondents (63%) were incorrect and ARE in states that ban the box. <\/div>\r\n

In states or cities that have passed this legislation, you can\u2019t inquire about an applicant\u2019s criminal record until the job interview \u2014 or, in some cases, after a position has been offered to the applicant. You also may need to delay background checks until then.<\/p>\r\n

These twenty states have ban-the-box laws that apply only to public employers: <\/strong><\/p>\r\n