Target removes criminal history questions from job applications nationwide
Target Corp. will remove questions about criminal history from its job applications nationwide, the Minneapolis-based retailer recently announced.
Various states now prohibit government agencies from asking about criminal histories in job applications, the New York Times reports, and Minnesota recently extended the law to private employers. The statute prevents employers from asking job candidates about criminal histories until there is an interview or job offer.
Also, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission last year updated a ruling that bars employers from denying applicants work based solely on their arrest or conviction records. According to the agency, an arrest by itself is not proof of illegal conduct, or a good reason to not hire someone. The guidance also directs employers to consider the seriousness of a candidate’s offense, and how much time has passed since the arrest.
According to the New York Times, 65 million Americans have criminal records.
