Should employers be allowed to pull an applicants incarceration record before hiring them?

[Ad_Quid_Orator]

I'd say that should be the case if they applied for a job that was directly connected to the crime that they committed (i. e. if they were charged with gun smuggling it should come up if they applied for a job at an arms manufacturing plant).

But otherwise it should be confidential. But before you go on about how "Oh, do you really want a person who committed X abhorrent act working around you..."

NEWS FLASH:

Yeah they committed a horrible act BUT they went to prison for what they did. In other words; they paid what they owed; they're square the house again so let them return to society.

[BrookeAZ90]

Putting "NEWSFLASH" sarcastically at the end before anyone even answered means you already knew what most people would say. There's a bit of an issue with your idea though: There's no way to know if someone's past crime is relevant to what they're applying for without... seeing their incarceration record. Only then can someone hiring know what it was for. Even if the crime wasn't relevant, that's something I'd sure want to know about before I hired them. Letting them return to society isn't the same as one particular employer hiring them. They sure can return to society but it doesn't make anyone obligated to hire them. Not everyone learns from their mistakes so it's reasonable to know what you need to keep a look out for should you hire them. I assume this particular issue is relevant to you since you feel strongly about it but I think knowing this info about someone you're hiring is quite relevant.

[Agape93]

Absolutely. We do it. Im not going to hire someone who's a sex offender. We have clients who have certain requirements and we hire accordingly. In a warehouse we won't place anyone with a record for theft or embezzlement. In a rehab center we won't hire anyone with with drug offense. Etc.

[BoopBoopBeep]

Why should it be confidential to the employer but not the rando down the street? Prison records are publicly searchable. I see no reason the employer should have fewer rights than the busybody that just sits at home doing it all day. One of those actually has a vested interest in the results.

[DextroShade]

It depends on the crime: if it's something like drugs then no; if it's diddling kids then yes.

[DizzyDesii]

Yes you have to protect your other employees and your jobs reputation from risky hires

[WalnutButter]

" In other words; they paid what they owed; "

Who did they pay it to?

[Wise4myage]

Yes, they have every right to be able to do that.

[In_Trance]

as long as you consent, yes