Finding a job can be tough, but now the City of Cleveland is hoping to make it easier for ex-cons.
The city is removing the check box on an application that indicates whether an applicant has a felony conviction
“By removing the box, we opened up opportunity for the hundreds and thousands of men and women that are returning to our community that need to be employed,” said Natoya Walker Minor, Cleveland chief of public affairs.
Cleveland is now one of 28 cities and counties from across the country to ban the box. The ban aims to help the city’s 14,000 ex-felons find work regardless of their past.
“If you did your debt to society, whatever you did, you shouldn’t be held accountable for it or have to pay in order to make it in this city,” said Kirk Farmer of Cleveland. “Just as long as a person did his time, did his debt to society and is trying to actually make ends meet and change hisself, he should be given a chance.”
If a person becomes a finalist for a position, the city will put the applicant through a background check. Some residents, however, wonder if removing the box will truly prevent discrimination.
“The intentions are real good, them saying, ‘I’m not going to look at your criminal background right now,” said Cleveland resident Ricky McCalenton. “But once I get you into the job site, and I do a background check, I’m going to have to fire you.’ So to me, honestly, I think they should have left it on there.”
Minor said the new policy will give applicants a chance to defend their past and will give the city a chance to find the best person for the job.
“It gives the opportunity for us to have an honest conversation with someone so they don’t have to feel they have to be dishonest on the application,” she said.