Your Rights and Fair-Chance Hiring

What You Will Learn

• Explain ban-the-box and fair-chance hiring
• Know your basic rights during background checks
• Describe employer incentives: the Work Opportunity Tax Credit and Federal Bonding Program
• Find help with record-clearing

Lesson Notes

Ban-the-Box and Fair-Chance Laws

Many states and cities have ban-the-box laws that delay questions about convictions until later in the hiring process, often after a conditional offer. The federal Fair Chance Act applies to federal agencies and contractors. Laws vary by location; check your state and city.

Background Checks and Your Rights

Under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, an employer must get your written permission before running a background check through a screening company. If they plan to deny you because of it, they must first give you a copy of the report and a summary of your rights, so you can correct errors. EEOC guidance encourages employers to consider the nature of the offense, time passed, and relevance to the job.

Incentives You Can Mention

• Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC): employers may receive a federal tax credit for hiring people with felony convictions within one year of conviction or release (and other groups).
• Federal Bonding Program: provides free fidelity bonds to employers, usually for the first six months, protecting them against employee theft. Contact your state workforce agency.

Mentioning these can make you a stronger candidate.

Record-Clearing

Many states allow expungement, sealing, or certificates of rehabilitation for some records. Legal-aid organizations often help for free. Avoid companies that charge large fees and promise guaranteed results.

Key Terms

In-Class Activities

Know Your Rights Scenarios

Discuss: (1) An employer runs a background check without asking you. (2) You're denied a job because of a record that isn't yours. (3) An application asks about arrests that never led to a conviction.

Incentive Pitch

Write two sentences you could use in an interview to mention WOTC and the Federal Bonding Program.

Assignment: Rights and Resources Sheet

Create a one-page sheet for your state (use materials provided):

• Whether your state or city has ban-the-box rules.
• Your background check rights.
• How to request WOTC and bonding information.
• One legal-aid resource for record-clearing.

Graded with the Module Assignment Rubric.

Reflection Journal

Proverbs 31:9 calls us to plead the cause of the poor and needy. How does it feel to learn that laws and programs exist to give people a fair chance? How might you one day advocate for others?

Prayer focus: Thank God for open doors and ask for courage to walk through them and hold them open for others.

Doors Held Open

You may feel like every door is closed because of your record. The truth is more hopeful: laws and programs exist specifically to give people a fair chance.

Many states and cities have ban-the-box laws that delay questions about convictions until later in hiring, often after a conditional offer. The federal Fair Chance Act covers federal agencies and contractors. Check the rules where you will live.

Under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, an employer using a screening company must get your written permission before running a background check. If they plan to deny you because of it, they must first give you a copy of the report and a summary of your rights, so you can correct errors.

Employers also have reasons to hire you. The Work Opportunity Tax Credit can give employers a federal tax credit for hiring people with felony convictions within a year of conviction or release. The Federal Bonding Program provides free fidelity bonds to employers, usually for the first six months. You can mention both in interviews.

Many states allow expungement, sealing, or certificates of rehabilitation for some records. Legal aid often helps for free. Avoid companies that charge large fees and promise guaranteed results.

Think About It

1. What did you believe employers could and couldn't ask? ______________________
2. How would you mention WOTC or bonding in an interview? ______________________
3. Who will you contact about record-clearing? ______________________

Daily Devotions for Week 5

Justice and Mercy

What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?— Micah 6:8 (KJV)

God cares about justice and mercy. Fair-chance laws reflect a small piece of that heart.

Reflect: Where do you need justice or mercy?

Pray: Lord, thank You for Your justice and mercy.

Do: Pray for others seeking a fair chance.

Plead the Cause

Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.— Proverbs 31:9 (KJV)

God calls His people to speak up for others. One day you may advocate for women coming home.

Reflect: How might you advocate for others someday?

Pray: Lord, make me a voice for others.

Do: Learn one fair-chance fact to share.

An Open Door

Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it.— Revelation 3:8 (KJV)

God opens doors that no record can shut.

Reflect: Which door are you trusting God to open?

Pray: Lord, open the right doors.

Do: Write down your state's rules to research.

Knowledge Is Protection

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.— Hosea 4:6 (KJV)

Knowing your rights protects you. Ignorance can cost opportunities.

Reflect: What do you need to learn about your rights?

Pray: Lord, give me knowledge.

Do: Complete your Rights and Resources sheet.

Remembered

Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them.— Hebrews 13:3 (KJV)

God has not forgotten people in prison or coming home. Neither has His church.

Reflect: Who has remembered you in this season?

Pray: Lord, thank You for remembering me.

Do: Pray for a woman still inside.