Before and After Ban the Box: Employer Responses in Minnesota

• In Event: Examining the Employment and Crime Relationship

Abstract

As of January 2014, employers may no longer ask criminal history questions on job application forms, but instead must wait until they have narrowed the field to "finalists" for positions. We interview Minnesota employers about their knowledge and experience with this "Ban the Box" law. Because these employers were previously interviewed in 2008, the study compares the application forms, hiring practices, and employer attitudes before and after passage of this law. We find that employers showed little awareness of Ban the Box in 2016, though some were now in compliance with the law and had changed or adapted their application materials.

Authors

• Lesley Schneider, University of Minnesota

• Christopher Uggen, University of Minnesota

• Mike Vuolo, The Ohio State University

• Sarah E. Lageson, Rutgers University