Several new studies on so-called “ban the box” policies that block employers from discounting job applicants with criminal records have revealed another, even more extensive problem: deep-seated employer discrimination against African Americans. Ban-the-box laws, which prevent employers from asking about criminal history on job applications, have passed in scores of cities, 24 states and the District of Columbia. But researchers who have scrutinized the policies have found that, regardless of whether employers ask about criminal history, African Americans face discrimination from employers with ingrained racial biases. Another released in June sent out 15,000 fake job applications in states with ban-the-box laws – New York and New Jersey – before and after their respective laws took effect. Asked about the criticism, Doleac agreed that “it’s possible that ‘ban the box’ would be a more effective policy in a world with less racial discrimination”.

Source: The Guardian August 13, 2016 12:00 UTC