Oregon’s “Ban the Box” law, H.B. 3025, went into effect in January 2016. Oregonians no longer have to check the box on job applications that asks about previous convictions. Last year President Obama "banned the box" on federal-government employment applications and almost half the states have required employers to ban the box in some form. Oregon’s state law restricts employers from inquiring about an applicant’s criminal background during the initial stages of the application process. These laws and policies give qualified job-seekers with convictions a fair chance to be hired.
Karen James interviews Cheranda, Ken, Jeff and Dennis, who have previous convictions, about their experiences finding employment since the Box was Banned. Charles O'Neill, Skills & Education Coordinator with Transition Projects in Portland, as well as Transition Projects Human Resource Director Melissa Parsons discuss their program to help people with convictions find employment.
Business owners and managers with questions about the implementation of this law can call BOLI’s Technical Assistance for Employers program at 971-673-0824. To file a complaint about your employment application process, contact the Bureau of Labor and Industries Civil Rights Division at 971-673-0764 or crdemail@boli.state.or.us
Bud Clark Commons http://homeforward.org/find-a-home/get-an-apartment/apartments-at-bud-clark-commons
Transition Projects http://www.tprojects.org/
H.B.3025 https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2015R1/Measures/Overview/HB3025
The Atlantic http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2016/08/consequences-of-ban-the-box/494435/
- KBOO