Criminal history questions for job seekers could be banned in St. Louis under proposal

[TexasTowelie]

ST. LOUIS — The Board of Aldermen on Friday began debate on legislation to prohibit private employers in the city from basing many hiring and promotion decisions on an applicant’s criminal history.

The measure also would bar companies with 10 or more employees from including questions about convictions and related items on an initial job application.

The bill is part of the national “ban-the-box” movement, which seeks to remove check boxes or questions on job applications that require applicants to disclose any criminal convictions.

The sponsor, Alderman John Collins-Muhammad, D-21st Ward, said the bill “is about giving people a second chance and expanded employment opportunities.”

Read more https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/criminal-history-questions-for-job-seekers-could-be-banned-in/article_c9cc9526-0ad6-528e-a01f-309911d21a50.html

[msongs]

1. dear prospective bank teller - have u ever been convicted of embezzlement? nt

[thucythucy]

2. I would think it would depend on the job.

As someone in the disability community who knows people who need personal care, I'd want to know if the prospective employee had a history of physical or sexual assault.

I'd want to know the same of anyone wanting to work with children.

But by and large I agree with the idea of giving people a chance to start over.

[TexasTowelie]

3. The "ban-the-box" movement recognizes the need to do the necessary background checks.

It removes the questions about criminal background on the initial job application, but once the employer narrows down the list of potential candidates they can perform background checks to eliminate those candidates that could pose a potential employment risk.