Some Urge Removal of Criminal Record Boxes from Job Applications
Finding a job is hard enough in this economy, but for convicted felons, it can be nearly impossible. As more are being paroled to save the State of Michigan money, advocates for ex-offenders say that getting rid of a check box on job applications would help more of these people get interviewed for positions.
Penny Ryder, Co-Director of the American Friends Service Committee’s Criminal Justice Program, says that Battle Creek and Kalamazoo have already implemented policies forbidding vendors from excluding felons from employment… and she hopes other cities do the same. She says hiring released convicts can have benefits. Ryder says that former prisoners need the community’s support if they’re to get their lives restarted in the right direction, and critical to that is a decent job. She hopes such job applicants can be judged not by their criminal records, but by their qualifications. In some cases, however, these efforts have met fierce opposition from business groups.
Reprinted with written permission from: The Background Investigator, Steve Brownstein
2 Responses to “Some Urge Removal of Criminal Record Boxes from Job Applications”
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I have a manslaughter charge on my record from 1985 and it is preventing me from getting employment. I have tried to have it expunged but have been unsuccessful. I have not been in trouble since but I am having a difficult time finding employment. Could you give me some advice??
Thank you
I would have to say that 25 years is a long time. Depending on the circumstances, employers and background check companies for that matter should disregard if a 7 year rule exists and if it is not germane to the position. Subsequent criminal activity that has developed after this 25 year old criminal offense is important as it may show a pattern, but of course this needs to be germane to the position as well. However, if you are finding it difficult doing it yourself, which it sounds like is the case, I would suggest retaining legal counsel. Contact the state bar association for the correct referral in handling this matter. Get your expungement “certified” from the governing body and have it in-hand when you apply for a job. Best of luck.