Four background check companies signed agreements in New York State to avoid illegal hiring practices, the New York State Attorney General’s Office announced Thursday. The background check firms include HireRight Inc., First Advantage, General Information Services Inc. and Sterling Infosystems.
The deals prohibit the agencies from automatically disqualifying applicants with criminal records, according to the Attorney General’s Office. The deals also call for the agencies to defer hiring decisions to employers, who must conduct an individualized consideration of candidates in accordance with New York law.
The background check firms specifically agreed not to issue automatic rejection letters to job applicants because of a conviction on behalf of employers to ensure the employers conduct individualized assessments of the candidates, according to the Attorney General’s Office.
“New Yorkers who have paid their debt to society deserve a fair shot at employment opportunities,” Attorney General Schneiderman said. “Background check agencies that implement blanket bans on hiring ex-offenders are violating New York State law.”
Read more
