Why do all employers in the United States have the right to ask if you have been convicted of a felony?

Question

Shouldn't those who have paid their debt to society be allowed to get a decent job?

10 years ago, most peoples records could not be accessed without a good deal of time, and effort by employers. Now with globatization they just have to type it into the internet.

Just because they took funds in the past is no reason. I haven't been convicted of a theft of course, but someone at 17 who steals a stero shouldn't be plagued with never working around money for it forever.

Nothing great about those two minds, perhaps narrow and needing to be thrown in jail themselves forever though.

Blessings :)

Answer 1

I don't know how they expect a convicted felon to make an honest living but shutting them out from most occupations. Now many apartment complexes ask it on the application, and they can be denied because of it. But if you look at the structure of the prison system, it's not set up to reform criminals, it only makes them stronger, gives them more criminal contacts, and creates more hatred.

Answer 2

This is a policy question that should be made to your state's legislature. You have a point but ex felons, like many other segments of society, do not get any special constitutional or statutory protections (as opposed to minorities for example), and therefore employers can do that. I also think you'll have a hard time selling this because there are so many good reasons for not hiring an ex felon--dishonesty, etc. A similar question is: why do so many states have laws that do not allow ex felons to vote ever even many years after serving their debt to society? I guess a good proposal would be a law that disallows this after a decade or longer once it is shown the person can assimilate as a good citizen again.

Answer 3

I think a great deal depends on the Felony committed.

I know people who have felonies that are non-violent in nature who I would employ in a heart beat, but I wouldn't even consider employing a pedophile, murderer, or someone convicted to felony drunk driving.

You can use whatever excuse you want - "I was young..." or "I made a mistake" but the reality is that a person doesn't usually ooopscidentally commit a felony. People know before comitting a crime that it is a crime, and if they choose to do it then they have to live with the consequences. Some people will never forgive, and will hold it against you forever -- like I said, there are some I see as a non-issue, but there are deal breakers as well.


You wouldn't want a pedophile being the school secretary or the embezzler to be your bank teller, right?

LOL I just read Bill's answer - great minds think alike huh?

Answer 4

I can understand how you feel, they say that most convictions are for drug procession, something like 70 percent. possessing drugs doesn't mean selling it. anyhow i think that asking if you were convicted for a felony is unfair. they say that there is a 85 percent return rate on felonies. my question is why? could it be because they have to go to a life they are used to because they can't get a decent enough job to survive without crimes? could it be they deliberatly make people worse because they don't make any money on rehabilitated people?

if Jehovah can forgive king manessah who killed hundreds because he truly was repentant (he humbled himself so severely no telling how long he was in that state of grief before forgiven and restored to his kingship) I am sure employers can forgive felones who commit nothing worse then petty theft, drug possession or whatever. it is not like most people are serial killers released on parole, I doubt they release those kind of people. so maybe they ought to ask more specific questions like have you ever commited felony such as murder or rape or bank robbery? or just say very serious felony or something.

I am wondering do they really need to ask the applicant? can't they call someone and ask what the conviction was for. that way they know whehter they are willing to take the risk or determine what dept to put you.

RRRR

Answer 5

they can ask because it is free speech.

It also may be that your answer is material to their business, and reflects on how well you may be able to do a job.

Not all jobs are precluded from felons, and not all emplyers care or even ask.

If you have skills that are valuable, and they can't get those skills somewhere else without assuming any risk due to your conviction, then they will hire you.

So make sure you have some skills that are the best, preferably in innovation in your field, and then find an employer that needs those skills.

IOW, find a way so that the albatross is not really important. But if all you can do is work that anyone else can do too, then it is not the conviction that is the problem really.

Answer 6

That’s right...Everyone is a victim. There should not be any consequences for people’s actions. He should probably just collect a fat check from the government, oh he probably is (Welfare) because he can’t get the job he wants…News Flash! If you want to be productive in society, have a good job and enjoy life…DON’T VICTIMIZE OTHERS!

Have fun working at Taco Bell.

Answer 7

Would you employ a convicted felon? I sure wouldn't and don't.

Edit: That teen who stole a 'stero' knew full well of the consequences of doing it. Some decisions a person makes stay with them the rest of thier lives. I have no pity for this at all.

Answer 8

i understand what you mean a lot of these people go off into the world with nothing in their pockets and the first they turn to is crime cause they dont know anything else.they should be given jobs by the state if they are fit to work there but no hiding records isnt a good thing.

Answer 9

An employer has the right to know who they are hiring. Getting the criminal record lets them know. That way pedofiles aren't hired in daycare centers, or embezzlers arn't hired to handle money.

Answer 10

yes, sorry sometimes the debt is never paid in full.