How Do Employers Ask about Criminal Records on Entry-Level Job Applications?

• In Event: Criminal Records, Employment and Prisoner Reentry

Abstract

Drawing upon a unique, random sample of job applications collected by testers during an experimental audit in Minneapolis-St. Paul, we present analyses of the various ways that employers ask about criminal records on entry-level job applications. As a previous unknown, we begin with descriptive statistics concerning the various levels of severity screened on applications (e.g. all offenses, felonies only, specific offenses, recentness of offense, none). Using local demographic and crime data, we then describe several hypothetical scenarios regarding the number of applicants potentially turned away due to these questions, finding very disparate effects on male applicants of color. We then conduct logistic regressions comparing employers who ask to those who do not. Among numerous variables collected by our testers and neighborhood level geocoded data, we find support for variation by industry, as well as the diversity of the employees. Finally, we contextualize our results within recent EEOC guidelines on how employers should ask, and now, how they may legally ask, as well as the brand new “Ban the Box” legislation in Minnesota.

Authors

• Michael Vuolo, Purdue University

• Sarah Lageson, University of Minnesota

• Christopher Uggen, University of Minnesota