City job applicants won’t have to reveal prior criminal convictions

Those applying for jobs with the City of Atlanta won’t have to disclose a prior criminal conviction on their applications following passage of ordinance this afternoon by the Atlanta City Council.  The ordinance, sponsored by Councilmembers Kwanza Hall, Natalyn Archibong, Andre Dickens and Joyce Sheperd,  is designed to eliminate discrimination against potential applicants for jobs with the city.

“I am grateful to my Council colleagues for their support of this initiative,” said Hall. “Under Mayor Reed and the Department of Human Resources, the City of Atlanta has established a progressive track record on this issue. Today’s passage of the ordinance codifies a practice that opens opportunities to consideration for government employment that many local governments across the country do not yet offer.”

While the City of Atlanta’s current application process no longer requires an applicant to reveal a prior conviction on an application, the legislation officially makes it city policy except when state and/or federal laws require criminal background investigations for certain positions, including positions that involve work with children, positions in law enforcement, and other sensitive positions.

The legislation is part of the nationwide “Ban the Box” program, which seeks to remove the box that jobseekers must check on applications if they have a criminal conviction in their past.

“We applaud the City Council for taking this step toward ending employment discrimination against people with prior convictions,” said Marilynn Winn of Women on the Rise, a grassroots organization of formerly incarcerated women. “I have personally experienced the ‘box’ resulting in my automatic disqualification many times. I may have all the skills and qualifications, but if I’m asked to check that box, I can’t even get an interview. Everybody deserves the chance to work and put food on their table and a roof over their head. We’re glad that the City of Atlanta recognizes that many of us with backgrounds have a lot to contribute and a fair hiring policy means we may actually have a chance to do just that.”

Each year the city and Fulton County have 2,400 people returning home from Georgia’s jails and prisons seeking employment. Research shows that lack of employment is a significant factor in recidivism rates, with people who are employed proving significantly less likely to be re-arrested.