Cities or Counties with a Fair Chance Policy

Source: National Employment Law Project

Pittsburgh, PA

(Ordinance applies to city and contractors)

• Banned the box
• Background check only for otherwise qualified candidates
• Policies apply to vendors/contractors doing business with the City
• Right to appeal denial of employment

On December 17, 2012, the Pittsburgh City Council passed two ban the box ordinances; one that applies to city employment and one that applies to contractors. The Formerly Convicted Citizens Project worked on the campaign for two years.

Pittsburgh Resources

Pittsburgh Contact

Dean Williams, Director
Formerly Convicted Citizens Project
(412)-295-8606
[email protected]

Philadelphia, PA

(Ordinance applies to city and private employers)

• Banned the box
• Background check only after applicant selected
• Policies apply to public and private employers in the City

On March 31, 2011, Philadelphia became the first city to ban the box for both public and private positions. The ordinance prohibits any employer from asking about, considering, or sharing
information regarding non-conviction arrests that are not pending. The ordinance further prohibits inquiry into an applicant’s conviction history “during the application process,” defined as the time beginning when an applicant inquires about the employment and ending when the employer has accepted an application, or “before and during the first interview.” Employers must then wait until after an applicant has completed an application and had a first interview before inquiring into the applicant’s conviction history. The ordinance provides an exception from these rules “if the inquires or adverse actions prohibited [above] are specifically authorized by any other applicable law.”

Philadelphia Resource

Philadelphia Contacts

Brenda Lynch, Staff Attorney
Community Legal Services of Philadelphia
[email protected]

Ann Schwartzmann, Policy Drector
The Pennsylvania Prison Society
(215)-564-6005
[email protected]

Rue Landau, Executive Director
Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations
(215)-686-4673
[email protected]