5 ms·

Are you talking about the social stigma or is there something in the law that makes it difficult for ex-convicts to find jobs?

by Sirenos 12y ago

thefreeman 12y ago
Felons are required to disclose on their job applications that they have a prior felony, and what it was they did. This has the effect of making it extremely difficult for them to find work, especially in white collar industries. Edit: Apparently I am wrong, they aren't technically required to disclose it. However, in practice, every job application I have ever seen has had the question.
- swatow 12y ago
  That is incorrect. There is nothing in the law requiring felons to disclose this. Some employers might ask, and perform their own background checks based on public information.
  - mason240 12y ago
    In fact it's actually illegal in several states (MN is one) to ask about it on job applications.
    - jpetersonmn 12y ago
      I'm from MN and every job application I've ever filled out in my life asked if I was a convicted felon. Including the job I'm at now.
      - mason240 12y ago
        It is a new law that just passed last year, and I'm not sure if it has taken effect yet.
        jpetersonmn 12y ago
        I just read up on that, and looks like they did just pass a law that they can't ask you on the initial application, but then can weed you out later. IMO that's a horrible law that will end up costing businesses a lot of money, and not help felons get a job at all. If I run a business and I have a policy of not hiring felons, I should be able to weed them out in the initial application phase.
- pcthrowaway 12y ago
  None of the tech jobs I came across asked if I had a felony. They all just asked applicants to send a cover letter and resume.
gambiting 12y ago
There was an article on HN recently about someone who had a Masters Degree in computer science + very good qualifications, interviewed successfully for several companies,but they all refused after they have found out he spent a year in jail for a non-violent offence.

Are you talking about the social stigma or is there something in the law that makes it difficult for ex-convicts to find jobs?

by Sirenos 12y ago

Are you talking about the social stigma or is there something in the law that makes it difficult for ex-convicts to find jobs?

thefreeman 12y ago

Felons are required to disclose on their job applications that they have a prior felony, and what it was they did. This has the effect of making it extremely difficult for them to find work, especially in white collar industries. Edit: Apparently I am wrong, they aren't technically required to disclose it. However, in practice, every job application I have ever seen has had the question.

swatow 12y ago
That is incorrect. There is nothing in the law requiring felons to disclose this. Some employers might ask, and perform their own background checks based on public information.
- mason240 12y ago
  In fact it's actually illegal in several states (MN is one) to ask about it on job applications.
  - jpetersonmn 12y ago
    I'm from MN and every job application I've ever filled out in my life asked if I was a convicted felon. Including the job I'm at now.
    - mason240 12y ago
      It is a new law that just passed last year, and I'm not sure if it has taken effect yet.
      - jpetersonmn 12y ago
        I just read up on that, and looks like they did just pass a law that they can't ask you on the initial application, but then can weed you out later. IMO that's a horrible law that will end up costing businesses a lot of money, and not help felons get a job at all. If I run a business and I have a policy of not hiring felons, I should be able to weed them out in the initial application phase.
pcthrowaway 12y ago
None of the tech jobs I came across asked if I had a felony. They all just asked applicants to send a cover letter and resume.

gambiting 12y ago

There was an article on HN recently about someone who had a Masters Degree in computer science + very good qualifications, interviewed successfully for several companies,but they all refused after they have found out he spent a year in jail for a non-violent offence.