EmployeeScreenIQ

Does the City of Boston have a faulty pre employment background checks system?

The Boston Globe recently published an in-depth look at the city's background check policy, which it determined could result in hundreds of people with criminal records working for the city.

During 2005, officials in Boston ruled that only job applicants for positions requiring unsupervised contact with the elderly, disabled or children under 18-years old would have to undergo background checks.

Currently, Boston, Chicago and San Francisco lead the nation in offering opportunities to rehabilitated ex-offenders. The city's reasoning is that these workers do not put the public at risk, as school employees, police, fire, youth, elderly services, technical and financial workers all fall under the background check requirement.

However, Bill Kessler, Boston's assistant director of human resources, told the Globe that about 3,500 city jobs don't require background checks. That includes all positions in public works and many positions in transportation. Kessler said keeping ex-offenders from these jobs would be more likely to increase correction costs than protect the public.

"We look for ways to help people become productive members of society," he said.

Boston's willingness to allow ex-offenders to apply for certain positions has helped garner statewide reform of Massachusetts' Criminal Offender Record Information law. That law allows the state to keep a record of every criminal court appearance in state courts.

The problem with CORI law is that a person is issued a record even if the case is dismissed or the person is found not guilty. Old cases are kept on file for lengthy amounts of time, making it hard for many people to find jobs even long after they have appeared in court.

In addition, Boston's actions have helped other cities and the public realize that ex-offenders can be a great fit for non-sensitive jobs as long as they have the right criteria and experience.

Labels: Pre employment background checks