The Intelligencer Journal New Era heading “City bans crime question on job forms” * is accurate but a bit misleading. However, the article makes very clear that finalists for a position will be subject to appropriate checks:
“Applicants still will be required to submit to a background check and the provision will not include applicants for police officer and firefighter positions.”
Potential applicants are fearful of disclosing past criminal offenses. Either they don’t apply, or they fail to disclose the information and thus disqualify themselves. The only time that a conviction can be lawfully used to disqualify an employee is when it suggests a future risk in that position. Someone who embezzled cannot be refused a job raking leaves.
Having disclosure on the application serves no real purpose, since a background check will turn up the information. The applicant gives permission for such a check when they sign a standard application.
In this matter, Mayor Rick Gray has held true to his roots as a local ACLLU defense attorney.
*As of this 8:00 AM posting, the article is not posted on line except in the e-edition replica of the pages. Lamentably, late posting is a common occurence for many articles.
