Folks facing charges, let alone harboring convictions, have seen prospective employers take a hardline on hiring in Washington State. It is both morally deflating and psychologically overwhelming. Background checks appear to cover any realm of having contact with the law enforcement, unfortunately. Entities such as CHECKR (a private employee background screening agency) are brutal with their reports, and even if a person is only facing a criminal case (not convicted), they are listing them as having ‘criminal history’. This is where the Fair Chance Employment Act comes in. It restricts how employers can use conviction and arrest records during the hiring process and course of employment. The basis for such a law is grounded in the belief that increased employment opportunities will reduce recidivism, reduce racial disparities in the criminal justice system and strengthen communities. What does the Act permit for? The Act: (1) prohibits categorical exclusions in job ads (e.g. Does not allow statements like, “Felons need not apply.”), (2) limits criminal history questions on job applications and criminal background checks until after an employer conducts an initial screening to eliminate unqualified applicants, (3) requires employers to have a legitimate business reason to deny a job based on a conviction record, and (4) requires an opportunity for an applicant or employee to explain or correct criminal history information, The law does not apply to jobs with unsupervised access to children under 16, individuals with developmental disabilities or vulnerable adults. Washington’s Fair Chance Act limits the use of criminal records in advertisements, applications, and the hiring process and is overseen by the Washington State Office of the Attorney General’s Civil Rights Division to ensure compliance.
If you or a loved one is in a bind as a result of criminal allegations immediately contact a Seattle Criminal Attorney. A Seattle Criminal Defense Attorney is not going to judge you and understands that everyone makes mistakes. Hiring a Seattle Criminal Lawyer to help can – at a minimum – reduce penalties and can help direct people on how to best deal with their criminal charge, and many times even get them dismissed. So, it should go without saying that someone cited for a misdemeanor or felony should hire a qualified Seattle Criminal Lawyer as soon as possible. Criminal charges can cause havoc on a person’s personal and professional life. Anyone charged with a crime in Washington State should immediately seek the assistance of a seasoned Seattle Criminal Lawyer. SQ Attorneys can be reached at (425) 359-3791 and/or (206) 441-0900.
