Ban-the-box

Ban-the-box law imposes restrictions on employers from asking questions about the criminal history of a job applicant during the hiring process.

Ban-the-box (sometimes called fair chance hiring) has been adopted by some cities, counties, and states to promote fairness in hiring and help formerly incarcerated individuals move forward with their lives.

What does ban the box mean? It means that employers must wait until later in the hiring process to ask about criminal history. This gives applicants an opportunity to be considered based on their qualifications first.

Ban-the-box policies are an effective way for employers to recruit new employees and create a more diverse workplace in companies. They also help reduce unemployment among people with criminal records by ensuring that they have the opportunity to get jobs regardless of their past mistakes. By enacting ban-the-box laws, states, and localities can improve their communities by increasing employment opportunities for individuals who have been previously convicted of crimes as well as those who may still be struggling with addiction issues such as substance abuse or mental illness

Ban the box law prohibits employers from asking about criminal history on a job application. This means that employers cannot ask about your criminal history until after they've determined that you are otherwise qualified for the position. Ban the box applies to all employers, including private employers, state agencies, and local governments.

Employers can ask about felony convictions after the first interview or when extending a conditional offer of employment.