Written By ESR News Blog Editor Thomas Ahearn
On January 4, 2022, Harris County in Texas adopted a “Ban the Box” policy that will prohibit most county departments from asking about the criminal history of job applicants and remove the box on county employment applications that applicants must check if they have a criminal record, Houston Public Media reported.
“It will prohibit departments from considering an applicant’s record of arrest if that arrest did not result in a conviction, or if it did and it was expunged or sealed, or it’s a misdemeanor for which no jail time can be sentenced,” County Attorney Christian Menefee – who proposed the program – told Houston Public Media.
The “Ban the Box” policy will allow departments to conduct a criminal background check only after a conditional offer of employment. When a background check is performed later in the process, employers are more likely to consider the context of the applicant’s record, as well as relevant skills and experience, Menefee explained.
“The policy will prohibit blanket disqualification of applicants solely because they have a conviction,” Menefee told Houston Public Media. “Instead, what it’s going to call for is an individualized assessment of various factors, including what was the nature of the offense. What is the position that the applicant is applying for?”
The “Ban the Box” policy only applies to departments led by county appointees, not elected officials. However, elected officials are free to...
Actress Nana faces a crucial legal moment today as the appeal sentencing trial is held for a man in his 30s, identified as A, who broke into her home and later counter-sued her. The Seoul High Cou...