Virginia joins more than a dozen other states in its decision to “ban the box” on job applications that prospective employees are asked to check if they have been convicted of a crime.
An individual’s rap sheet may be considered only if it “bears specific relation to the job for which they are being considered,” such as child care workers, state troopers, court officers and jail guards, said gubernatorial spokesman Brian Coy.
“In a new Virginia economy, people who make mistakes and pay the price should be welcomed back into society and given the opportunity to succeed,” McAuliffe said in a statement.
“This executive order will remove unnecessary obstacles to economic success for Virginians who deserve a second chance,” the Democratic governor said.
While the restriction applies to state hiring practices, McAuliffe said he hoped it would encourage private employers to follow suit.
The National Employment Law Project estimates that almost one in three adults in the United States has a criminal record that will show up on a routine criminal background check.
Read More: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/04/03/us-usa-virginia-employment-idUSKBN0MU19N20150403