Is the city of Rochester, New York joining the “Ban the Box” movement?

 The Rochester City Council is considering banning the criminal history question from its employment application and will require its vendors and contractors to do the same.

The idea is not to eliminate criminal histories from the hiring process but instead to delay that question until after the initial employment interview. The hope is that this will level the playing field and give everyone who is qualified for a job the same opportunity to be considered.

Rochester City Councilman Adam McFadden has sent draft legislation to the city’s legal department that mirrors the Buffalo law.  Council will consider the measure at some point this month.

If passed, Rochester will join 9 states, D.C., and 56 cities that have adopted “Ban the Box” policies.

We will keep you posted on the status of this legislation.