Families of SOs Community Group

WE HAVE MOVED!!! ............................. ............................... ......................... ............................ ............................. .......................... HERE: http://support-for-families.boards.net ............. ................ ............... ................ ............................... .................Please create a profile...

1,307 Members
11,281 Posts
0 Online
Personal Challenges
/ Families of SOs Support Group

Ban The Box

strawberries404
strawberries404
Just read yesterday about how the president has banned asking about one's criminal background on applications for federal jobs. He was moved to do so after visiting prisons a little while ago. This is part of a bigger movement to remove the box asking if one has ever been convicted of a crime on applications as it creates bias against applicants up front.

This should, in theory anyway, make it easier for RSOs to find employment
bsmom14
bsmom14
From what I hear the box is banned on the initial application. However, they will still be asked sometime during their interview process about their criminal background and will also still be fingerprinted which they will then pass or fail. So I don't think it is going to change the outcome much.
strawberries404
strawberries404
That's true, bsmom. Only time will tell how it affects RSOs, I guess.
joehillsghost
joehillsghost
I would much rather be told up front whether a company will consider me for a job, rather than go through the motions of interviewing, background/drug test, being "hired," then fired when the results of the background check come back. If I am honest enough to put on an application that I have a felony record - and the details of the conviction - I'd appreciate the same level of honesty from a potential employer.
inthestepsofjesus
inthestepsofjesus
@JoeHillsGhost & everyone - One thing you have to consider is that it has been an "employer's market" for a very long while in this country. What that means is employers have so MANY applicant's that they can pick and choose who they hire. If they don't like the color of your resume paper they will just throw it in the trash..(pause)...I mean file it.

In prison it was taught in resume and interviewing classes that if you can at least get your foot in the door for an interview then it was literally up to you to lose the job. In other words you are setting up for success when you interview and you [at least] have some sort of a chance better than nothing if you can at least interview with them.

The more and more that we can get ourselves out there that we have something to offer society again, who knows... maybe they will soften their hearts eventually.