US unemployment rates remain low and the question of whether or not Ban-the-Box policies have helped individuals with a criminal record is still uncertain. Hiring managers should be aware of existing and potential “Ban-the-Box” legislation and the effect it may have on hiring, especially with formerly incarcerated individuals.
As the USA is still experiencing a sustained period of low unemployment rates the question remains, is this helping formerly incarcerated individuals or those with any criminal record find gainful employment? The answer is both yes and no depending on the source. The combination of low unemployment rates and Ban-the-Box laws appear to be having an effect on potential employment with those with a criminal background record.
Still years after enacting Ban-the-Box laws there has been little evidence that Ban-the-Box laws are actually working. However these laws combined with sustained low unemployment rates do appear to be effective. With less and less available workers in the United States companies with open positions cannot be as selective as before and some of them are taking serious looks at people with previous criminal records. Across the country employers are desperately seeking employees and often times struggle to fill positions.
The purpose of enacting Ban-the-Box laws is to help assist formerly incarcerated individuals or those with a criminal record find gainful employment and to become positive contributors to society.
Employers should remain fully aware of all laws pertaining to the hiring process, especially Ban-the-Box laws. These laws can vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, and a best practice continues to be to work with a well-qualified third-party pre-employment background screening agency.
Whether or not Ban-the-Box legislation has assisted in reducing unemployment of formerly incarcerated individuals remains an important question. As employers continue to search for employees in times of very low unemployment rates, hiring managers should be very conscious of Ban-the-Box related laws and related hiring of individuals with a criminal history.
Even with low unemployment numbers in the USA there is still a segment of the population that continues to struggle.
From TurnTo10.com (Aug 10, 18):
With the largest prison population in the world, the United States has a generally unacknowledged unemployment crisis that is not only devastating individuals and their families but taking a toll on the economy.
In the last quarter, the U.S. economy grew at a pace of 4.1 percent. July marked the 94th month of continuous job growth and saw more people returning to the labor force after dropping out. But for the millions of prime working-age adults who have a criminal conviction, the economic picture has been anything but rosy. turnto10.com/news/nation-world/unemployment-crisis-for-ex-inmates-drags-on-the-economy-amid-push-for-prison-reform
Ultimately hiring managers should continue to be stringent in their employment screening efforts and must do so in a fair and equal standing, as well as in full compliance with existing law. Ban-the-Box laws continue to appear across the country and hiring managers should be very aware of all changes in laws that govern hiring.
Although the economic picture for adults with criminal records may in some estimation appear anything but rosy, there certainly are instances of hope. In New Jersey a potential turnaround in unemployment for ex-cons may be occurring.
According to a recent article posted to NJTVOnline.com (Aug 10, 18) programs designed to assist in gaining employment for former offenders are finding recent success.
Most of the jobs are low wage, entry level positions. But those who have studied post-prison unemployment for years says there is a turnaround in the state.
“I don’t know if its attributable to the Ban the Box legislation. I’ve seen it very recently because the unemployment rate is so low,” said Reentry Coalition of New Jersey Executive Director Kevin McHugh. “I’ve been getting calls from human resources departments, employers asking me for help in connecting them with our program people to get them offenders for jobs. That’s just amazing.” www.njtvonline.org/news/video/has-Ban-the-Box-legislation-reduced-unemployment-for-former-inmates/
Ban-the-Box appears to be assisting formerly incarcerated individuals in finding gainful employment and that progress may have been greatly assisted by low unemployment. However, it should be noted that as employers struggle to find new employees and fill positions they should retain a fully legal and compliant background screening policy. Working with a well-qualified third-party pre-employment background screening agency remains a best practice.
Additionally with so many people in the USA that have already paid the price for their offenses it is imperative that they be given a second chance and that means being able to get a decent job. This not only helps ex-offenders but also contributes to the overall economic health of the nation, and helps prevent the likelihood of recidivism.
In a final note… The combination of sustained low unemployment in the USA along with the enforcement of Ban-the-Box laws is undoubtedly aiding in the accomplishment of these objectives.
To read more about why low unemployment rates in the USA along with Ban-the-Box laws are effecting the employment of former criminal offender’s across the nation read recent CriminalBackgroundRecords.com press release: Ban The Box Laws in Low Employment Economy: Are They Helping Ex-Cons Find Employment?