Austin Becomes First City in Texas to Ban the Box

Ban the Box Update:  

On March 24, 2016, the City Council in Austin, TX passed the Fair Chance Hiring Ordinance, which will prohibit most employers from asking questions about or considering an individual’s criminal history until after making a conditional offer of employment.   Once criminal background information is obtained, Austin employers are prohibited from taking adverse action without first conducting an individualized assessment to determine whether the information renders the applicant unsuitable for the job.

Passage of the Ordinance follows closely on the heels of similar legislation enacted in other cities and states, including Portland, Oregon and New York City.  It is expected that the Ordinance will become effective 7 to 10 days after its passage.  Thus, Austin employers should immediately assess whether they are covered by the Ordinance and, if so, whether they need to revise their job applications and guidelines and documentation for the hiring process.

If you are an employer in the city of Austin, read more regarding exemptions, enforcements and recommendations for this new ordinance here.

   A veteran employment screening and risk management professional,  Brian D. Chapman is the CEO at MBI Worldwide, a global employment screening company.  Chapman received a degree in Criminal Justice from John. A. Logan College and has been appointed into the CEO Council of Tampa Bay as well as a member of the NAPBS National Board of Credentialing.  He is an author and expert witness in the employment background check circuit.  Chapman is a captivating keynote speaker on issues of compliance, adverse action and employment screening best practices.