Tag: ban-the-box for city contractors

Tampa Passes Ordinance Creating Ban-the-Box Policy for City Contractors September 28, 2022 The Tampa City Council has passed a long-considered "ban-the-box" style ordinance to encourage contractors for the city to hire ex-felons. However, unlike similar "ban-the-box" policies, this measure incentivizes employers not to judge applicants immediately because of their criminal history. The typical "ban-the-box" ordinance requires employers to refrain from behavior that prevents individuals with criminal backgrounds from finding employment. This new "ban-the-box" ordinance passed unanimously among the seven-member Tampa City Council. It asks city contractors to remove questions concerning criminal backgrounds and refrain from conducting criminal background checks. It will not require these contractors to take any steps; instead, it provides employers that choose to implement measures like these with preference in the bidding process for city contracts. Councilman Luis Vera championed the bill, describing it as "pro-work and pro-family." Under the new ordinance, any contractors that submit a bid, response, or proposal to the city will receive points when competing for city projects. Only bidders who voluntarily comply with the "ban-the-box" requirements will receive these points. Compliance includes: Omitting inquiries about criminal history on job applications; Omitting statements that individuals with a criminal history should not apply; Refraining from performing background checks both informally and formally on applicants or using any other available means to acquire information on the criminal history of an applicant until after extending a conditional offer of employment; Refraining from asking an applicant questions concerning criminal history until after extending a conditional offer of employment; Employers may only rescind a conditional offer of employment for any reason within ten days after communicating the proposition with an applicant. In addition to these requirements, contractors must show that they have made efforts to comply with the program. Proof of these efforts includes demonstrating that they are currently or have previously employed ex-offenders. It also includes explaining previous and future steps for hiring these workers. Before its unanimous passage, the ban-the-box bill received a last-minute amendment. The council members voted to include a requirement that contractors submit a report before final payment for a contract. The report must document steps taken to meet any promised actions. This ordinance is the culmination of Councilman Luis Vera's attempt to extend the city's ban-the-box requirements for city workers, which it adopted in 2013 for city contractors. This is not the first attempt to add to the legislation. Previously, in 2015, an attempt reached the city council. Unfortunately, the council rejected that proposal, which would have accomplished this same feat. However, this version of the legislation, first proposed in April of this year, has seen far greater success. With the passage of this legislation, Tampa contractors will need to review their hiring practices and consider any changes that may be necessary to comply with this legislation. Discover the benefits of Pre-employ’s seamless background checks for your business. Contact a Sales representative today. Source

Tag: ban-the-box for city contractors

Tampa Passes Ordinance Creating Ban-the-Box Policy for City Contractors

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