By — Megan Thompson Megan Thompson By — Tracy Wholf Tracy Wholf Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/poll-think-employers-use-background-checks Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter POLL: Do you think employers should use background checks? Nation Aug 23, 2014 1:08 PM EDT In the last decade, the number of employers that run criminal background checks on job applicants has increased dramatically. Today, almost 90 percent of employers run a check on at least some of their applicants. Employers and screeners say the checks are an important tool for reducing liability for negligent hiring. Advocates for background checks also say these screenings help keep the workplace safe – preventing, for example, a sex offender from being hired at a nursery school. But the practice has come under fire from those who say it can lead to discrimination and decreased job opportunities for the 70 million Americans who have some type of criminal conviction. Advocates argue that a past infraction doesn’t automatically mean someone is not qualified, and hiring more people with a conviction could reduce crime and recidivism. In a related movement, this month New Jersey became the latest state to pass a “Ban the Box” law. Thirteen states, along with 70 cities and counties now prohibit employers from asking about criminal convictions on job applications. Instead they must wait to inquire about an applicant’s record later in the hiring process. On Saturday, PBS NewsHour Weekend reports on a related issue – background checks that come back with mistakes, and may cost an individual a job opportunity. You can watch the full report in the video above. Do you think employers should use background checks to review applicants for a job?’ Do you think employers should use background checks? Take our poll and share your thoughts in the comments below. Or, join the conversation on Facebook. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now By — Megan Thompson Megan Thompson Megan Thompson shoots, produces and reports on-camera for PBS NewsHour Weekend. Her report "Costly Generics" earned an Emmy nomination and won Gracie and National Headliner Awards. She was also recently awarded a Rosalynn Carter Fellowship to report on the issue of mental health. Previously, Thompson worked for the PBS shows and series Need to Know, Treasures of New York, WorldFocus and NOW on PBS. Prior to her career in journalism she worked in research and communications on Capitol Hill. She originally hails from the great state of Minnesota and holds a BA from Wellesley College and a MA in Journalism from New York University. @megbthompson By — Tracy Wholf Tracy Wholf Tracy Wholf joined NewsHour Weekend in 2013 as an associate producer and frequently appears on the show as a correspondent covering environmental, educational and cultural stories. She previously worked as a producer and researcher for the TV news magazine program Dan Rather Reports where she earned her first Emmy nomination for a story about human rights issues in Afghanistan. Prior to working in journalism, Tracy spent 10 years as a musical theater performer and danced with the Las Vegas company of “Mamma Mia!” for a year. She is an alumnus of Northwestern University and Columbia University. @TWholf
In the last decade, the number of employers that run criminal background checks on job applicants has increased dramatically. Today, almost 90 percent of employers run a check on at least some of their applicants. Employers and screeners say the checks are an important tool for reducing liability for negligent hiring. Advocates for background checks also say these screenings help keep the workplace safe – preventing, for example, a sex offender from being hired at a nursery school. But the practice has come under fire from those who say it can lead to discrimination and decreased job opportunities for the 70 million Americans who have some type of criminal conviction. Advocates argue that a past infraction doesn’t automatically mean someone is not qualified, and hiring more people with a conviction could reduce crime and recidivism. In a related movement, this month New Jersey became the latest state to pass a “Ban the Box” law. Thirteen states, along with 70 cities and counties now prohibit employers from asking about criminal convictions on job applications. Instead they must wait to inquire about an applicant’s record later in the hiring process. On Saturday, PBS NewsHour Weekend reports on a related issue – background checks that come back with mistakes, and may cost an individual a job opportunity. You can watch the full report in the video above. Do you think employers should use background checks to review applicants for a job?’ Do you think employers should use background checks? Take our poll and share your thoughts in the comments below. Or, join the conversation on Facebook. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now