Are Criminal Background Checks in Hiring Racially Discriminatory?

The practice of using criminal background checks in the hiring process has become increasingly controversial as of late. The Obama Administration asserts that such policies disproportionately exclude blacks from hire. In the last year, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has sued several companies that screen criminal background records, asserting that the practice violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. The bipartisan United States Commission on Civil Rights recently issued a report on the impact of criminal background checks and the EEOC’s conviction records policy (provided here). Our experts will discuss the Commission’s report and offer their opinions on the practice of relying on criminal background checks in hiring.

• Hon. Peter N. Kirsanow, Commissioner, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
• Adam T. Klein, Partner, Outten & Golden LLP

Call begins at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

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