About two weeks ago, City Council’s Economic Opportunity Committee took the first step toward mandating removal of the box on employment applications indicating whether the applicant has a criminal record. However, the rest of the package of proposals for fair chance hiring – all related to helping people with criminal records get jobs – was put on the back burner.
Members of our XOffenders’ Council held a news conference outside of City Hall yesterday advocating for City Council to pass fair chance hiring policies that go beyond “banning the box”. Thanks to the Austin Monitor for covering this important issue; read the full article here!