Finding a job just became a little bit easier in Maine. The state has officially enacted Legislative Document 1167, which bans private employers from asking applicants about their criminal history early in the hiring process. LD 1167 was signed into law in July, and officially took effect on October 18th.
Finding a job just became a little bit easier in Maine. The state has officially enacted Legislative Document 1167, which bans private employers from asking applicants about their criminal history early in the hiring process. LD 1167 was signed into law in July, and officially took effect on October 18th.
LD 1167 does a few things. First, it prevents employers from requesting criminal record information. Second, employers may no longer state that applicants with criminal records will not be considered. While there are exceptions, for example, fields with federal or state laws that won't allow employees with criminal records, the general motive of the law is to prevent qualified individuals from being denied work purely based on inconsequential records.
The "Ban the Box" movement is sweeping throughout counties and cities. Delaying criminal record inquiries can show employers that sometimes, the best person for the job also happens to be someone who has had a run-in with the law. The overall goal is to diminish the stigma an arrest, charge, or conviction can carry. People who have made mistakes or were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time shouldn't have to struggle to find work, especially at a time when there are severe labor shortages across the country.
If your state hasn't enacted any "Ban the Box" laws and you're sick of disclosing your criminal history on the same page where you give general information like your name and address, we can help. Sign up for a free background check from Easy Expunctions, and we'll tell you what's on your record and what we can expunge with our record-clearing software.