“Ban the Box” is a national movement striving to remove the “box” from job applications. Anyone who has filled out a job application in recent years will have noticed the question, “Have you ever been convicted of a crime?” or some derivation thereof, accompanied by a box to check, either yes or no. This question, to most, is not a source of stress or anxiety. But, for the large majority of the American population that has a criminal conviction, this question signals to job applicants that their application will not be considered.
Criminal convictions carry a heavy stigma that is difficult to overcome, especially in the context of employment. The purpose of the “Ban the Box” movement is to allow job applicants with criminal convictions the opportunity to be considered for a job without the stigma of their conviction inhibiting their chances. Banning the box allows applicants with criminal convictions the chance to get their foot in the door and have a better chance of getting an interview. The ban does not guarantee a job to an applicant with a conviction history. The ban also does not, depending on its specific language, prohibit an employer from asking about an applicant’s conviction history. The goal is to allow employers to consider applicants without their conviction status being the focus of the employer’s decision.
The logic of eliminating the initial question on job applications is simple; it is illogical to screen out hundreds of thousands of qualified job applicants from potential jobs due to their past criminal conviction. Time and time again, individuals that are qualified or over-qualified, are not considered or asked to interview because of their conviction.
According to an article by the NELP (National Employment Law Project), nine states, Colorado, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Minnesota and Hawaii along with 50 local municipalities have passed ordinances banning the box from job applications. Recently, Target announced their intentions to eliminate this dreaded question from their job application.
In today’s society, recidivism and the “revolving door” of the criminal justice system are ever growing problems. Banning the box is one measure that can begin to move us in the right direction of allowing applicants with convictions the opportunity to find jobs.
There is a local Syracuse, New York, and New York State movement to “Ban the Box,” but, both are still working to gain traction.
For more information on this topic, check out this informational PDF or any of the links below.