While many job applicants may not think twice about checking “no” when asked if they have ever been convicted of a criminal offense on a job application, for millions of Americans, this question could end their chances of being hired.
One in three Americans — or 77 million — has a criminal record, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Yet as employers look to grow their talent pool, these candidates often get overlooked. “Ban-the-box” laws, which ban employers from asking about an applicant’s criminal record before at least the initial interview, are hoping to rewrite the hiring process.
