Law could put more convicted felons to work in Atlanta (felony, employment)

[LynnHarris]

I hope this legislation passes. One of the things that makes an ex-criminal return to a life of crime, is the inability to get a job.


"A new push seeks to allow more people with felony convictions to work for the city of Atlanta.

New legislation proposes removing the check box asking applicants whether they were ever convicted of a felony.

It is already a human resources practice to not ask applicants up front if they have ever been convicted of a felony, but proposed legislation would make it law. Every vendor and contractor with the city would have the same policy if the legislation is passed..."


Full Story: Law could put more convicted felons to work in Atlanta | www.wsbtv.com

[Larry X]

Agreed I hope it passes too.

[LovelySummer]

Another move might be to remove those restrictions on some of the jobs that ex-felons are automatically unable to apply for because they have a felony. Let people work if they want to work. Geesh. For that matter, let them vote too. Why shouldn't they have that basic liberty? They do their time, let them vote and work.

[magnetar]

Originally Posted by LovelySummer

For that matter, let them vote too. Why shouldn't they have that basic liberty? They do their time, let them vote and work.

Agreed 100%. For that matter, I'm not sure that voting rights should ever be taken away, even when you're incarcerated. I don't plan on ever going to jail, but if by some circumstance I wind up there I'd like to know that my interests are still being represented like every other resident of the state. Prisoners' lives are under the complete authority of a justice system run by a political apparatus we bar them from participating in.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by LynnHarris

[color=blue]

It is already a human resources practice to not ask applicants up front if they have ever been convicted of a felony, but proposed legislation would make it law. Every vendor and contractor with the city would have the same policy if the legislation is passed..."

What is the rule in other parts of the ATL? If you are a city or a county (or do business with a city or county), are you prohibited from putting a check box on employment applications asking whether applicants have been convicted of a felony?

What about police and fire and security companies? Finance departments, banks, pharmacies, law departments, etc?

I'm a big believer in giving people a second chance and have hired people who've had a record. But to me it seems like something the employer should at least know about, especially if they and the employee will be handling public funds and public safety.

[LynnHarris]

Originally Posted by arjay57

What is the rule in other parts of the ATL? If you are a city or a county (or do business with a city or county), are you prohibited from putting a check box on employment applications asking whether applicants have been convicted of a felony?

What about police and fire and security companies? Finance departments, banks, pharmacies, law departments, etc?

I'm a big believer in giving people a second chance and have hired people who've had a record. But to me it seems like something the employer should at least know about, especially if they and the employee will be handling public funds and public safety.

I would think that there would probably be safeguards in place for these departments.

However, look at how many people in city and county government who have "stolen" departmental funds and misued taxpayer money, who were not "ex-felons" and who were supposed to be upstanding citizens we could trust...

...something to think about

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by LynnHarris

I would think that there would probably be safeguards in place for these departments.

However, look at how many people in city and county government who have "stolen" departmental funds and misued taxpayer money, who were not "ex-felons" and who were supposed to be upstanding citizens we could trust...

...something to think about

Well, again, I'm very much in favor of second chances and have hired folks with a record.

But I think it's a legit thing for an employer to know. What'd they do, when was it and what has been the situation since? If somebody has been convicted of embezzlement I'm not going to start them off in my accounting department. If they've served time for taking bribes, I'm not going to start them out as a salesman until I learn a little more about how they operate. If they've been convicted of shooting or assaulting someone or abusing a woman or a child, that may well affect what sort of position I'm putting them in.

And when the city hires someone, they're working for me.

[flyonpa]

Not sure what the point is about taking it off the application form other then to waste the time (money) of the HR staff and the applicant. To bring someone in for a interview
First Question now will be:

Do you have any Felonies?
Thank-you for coming in, but this job requires a clean record.


Then why put anything on the application that might exclude someone from a interview. The application should just be a way of contacting them, bring everyone in for a interview then find out if they are qualified for the job. Exclude No one from the first step in the job process. (Of course it will cost Hundreds of thousand of dollars, but that ok...)

[netdragon]

Elimination of the scarlet letter.

[bu2]

Originally Posted by LynnHarris

I hope this legislation passes. One of the things that makes an ex-criminal return to a life of crime, is the inability to get a job.


"A new push seeks to allow more people with felony convictions to work for the city of Atlanta.

New legislation proposes removing the check box asking applicants whether they were ever convicted of a felony.

It is already a human resources practice to not ask applicants up front if they have ever been convicted of a felony, but proposed legislation would make it law. Every vendor and contractor with the city would have the same policy if the legislation is passed..."


Full Story: Law could put more convicted felons to work in Atlanta | www.wsbtv.com

As long as we don't rehire any of the county commissioners, mayors, school superintendents who have been running the cities, counties and school districts around here.