North Carolina Becomes Latest State to Ban the Box

It's a good day when we're able to celebrate another state implementing "Ban the Box" policies in an effort to help those with criminal records find jobs. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has officially signed an executive order meant to implement fair chance policies within state jobs.
These state agencies are no longer allowed to ask applicants about their criminal records. "Ban the Box" refers to the box on job applications that people were forced to check if they had any type of criminal record. This box prevented many people from being seriously considered, because it didn't allow people to explain or elaborate on why/how they ended up with a criminal record. People should not be automatically excluded from a position, especially when the record in question could have absolutely nothing to do with the job they're interested in.

During a state Department of Public Safety conference, Cooper noted the following:

"People will get a chance to shine and show themselves on their own merit when they're going through the employment process... There's a wealth of talent out there, a wealth of people who've made a mistake who are now about to come back into society who could be good employees."

Certain jobs will still require disclosing criminal records, but this only applies to jobs that require a security clearance or law enforcement certification. For the 1.7 million North Carolinians with criminal records, this will open a door to opportunities that they didn't previously have. The order takes effect on November 1^st.

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