Retailers have been lauded in recent years for their concentrated efforts to hire workers with physical disabilities (Walgreens comes immediately to mind) as well as military veterans (Home Depot, Walmart, etc.). Many merchants have been recognized for giving seniors employment and the industry has always been seen as a great point of entry for teens into the working world. It's clear in all of these instances that retail jobs help to fill societal needs. So what about the industry getting behind one more effort — providing jobs to men and women getting out of jail.
In New Jersey, a bill sponsored by State Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D-Union) and others would forbid companies from asking prospective employees about criminal history until after they've been offered a job. The goal, in a state where more than half of prisoners are rearrested, is to cut down on recidivism rates.
"An ex-offender who has had doors slammed in his face won't be an ex-offender for long — he'll be a repeat offender," Sen. Lesniak told The Star-Ledger. "This is giving ex-offenders a second chance."
The bill would not require employers to hire workers with a criminal past, but would prevent workers from being disqualified for employment if the offense is 10 years old or older. There are exceptions for employers when it comes to particularly heinous crimes.
The New Jersey Business & Industry Association told The Star-Ledger that it is supportive of the bill's concept, but that it will need more details.