Philadelphia Employers Must Modify Standard Employment Application under Criminal Record Law

Effective June 17, 2011, Philadelphia’s new Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards Ordinance generally will prohibit Philadelphia employers from asking job applicants questions related to criminal history prior to or during the first interview. Similar to restrictions applicable to Massachusetts and Hawaii employers, the “ban the box” law will prohibit Philadelphia employers from obtaining criminal background information on an initial employment application. The Ordinance applies to employers that employ 10 or more persons within the City of Philadelphia.