http://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/newsroom/release/6-11-13.cfm
The link above will take you to the EEOC website which provides details about the two cases. I hope you’ll read it and post your response here.
After reading the story in the Wichita Eagle, I discussed it with my mother. Obviously, I’m always glad to find national attention brought to the issue of employment with a criminal history. But, this particular story has been bothering me because the race card has been played. Most of us have heard about the statistics involving race and incarceration. While I feel background checks and unjust hiring practices clearly impact the black population, I do not understand why the two issues have to be merged into one.
My mother reminded me of something very simple. The EEOC has no jurisdiction over the non-employment of felons because felons are not a protected class. The laws that specifically protect felons from discrimination generally fall under the un-watchful eye of the Department of Labor. So, thank you EEOC for attempting to find a workaround for this problem which plagues our communities. It seems to be equivalent to prosecuting Al Capone for tax evasion. Get ’em any way you can.
Your thoughts?
Good Connections, Inc. 