Richmond, California added Chapter 2.65
to the Municipal Code entitled “Ban the Box” on July 30, 2013. Unlike
other cities, Richmond is requiring that no employer can make inquiries
into past criminal convictions at any point during the hiring
process. While it does not prevent employers from doing background
checks, it does prevent them from using criminal records to exclude
ex-cons from their list of prospective employees
Below is a map of all the states who have adopted “Ban the Box” in some way.
Unlike,
Richmond, CA, the laws in other cities mainly ban the inclusion of the
checkbox for past convictions on the job application exclusively.
Employers are not restricted from asking potential employees about their
criminal background during the interview process. Richmond,
a city inundated with high crime and high unemployment, has taken this
law a step further. Employers must refrain from discriminating against
people with criminal records.
There are some exclusions from the
new ordinance, of course. Jobs with children, seniors, and other
“sensitive” jobs are special cases that are not included in the
ordinance.
Richmond City Councilwoman, Jovanka Beckles, believes
that it levels the playing field for all races. Beckles was one of the
six people who approved the ordinance in a 6-1 vote in favor of the law.
Those who voted in favor of the law believe that it gives ex-convicts a
fair chance to have a place in our workforce, instead of turning back
to crime.
The lone councilman opposed to the ordinance, Tom Butt,
told a local newspaper, “It will be a nightmare to enforce and will
discourage business and investment in Richmond.”
You can read city ordinance 14-13 N.S. here.
Thoughts? Good? Bad? Will this become a trend in places with high crime and unemployment?
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