The EEOC has announced it will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, April 25th, to vote on proposed 'Enforcement Guidance on the Consideration of Arrest and Conviction Records in Employment Decisions under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.' Changes to current guidelines could eliminate or revise how employers use criminal records and credit checks for screening job applicants.
The EEOC meeting and vote has been anticipated by employers who have expressed concern that changes to current guidelines hold the potential to impede employers from continuing to use criminal background and credit checks during the hiring process.
Both for-profit and non-profit employers are concerned about the need to protect the safety of people and property in workplaces. These concerns were expressed to the EEOC in a letter sent by a broad-based coalition of associations as well as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), and the National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS). The letter stated "These organizations and their members believe that criminal background checks are an important tool in efforts to help protect employees, customers and the public at-large from workplace violence, fraud and theft"
Employers are also concerned about possible revisions to current guidelines regarding the use of credit reports for screening of job applicants. Many companies believe guideline changes could remove or significantly limit the use of two important tools used in hiring decisions. The removals or limitations could be significant in terms of increased risk to co-workers, customers, clients and the public. Pre-employ.com will be following the EEOC meeting closely, analyzing changes to current guidelines and reporting on what the changes will mean to employers and their current and future hiring practices.
To stay on top of this critical issue fill out the form to the right to receive theEEOC Report by Pre-employ as soon as it is available.
In preparation for EEOC guideline changes you are invited to download the free guide "5 Tips For Safe Hiring Practices". The free guide contains valuable information to help your company's hiring policies stay in compliance.
