11:25 am ET
Jun 11, 2013


Won’t Hire a Felon? A Government Lawsuit May Follow

    • Unbelievable!!! So you must hire a black felon, but not a white one?

    • I'm sure the EEOC will indemnify employers who are forced to hire felons, when those felons commit crimes against the employer, fellow employees, or members of the public?

      As for "protected groups".....don't become felons and you won't be subject to hiring restrictions against felons.

    • Anyone with a filing fee -- including the government -- can file a lawsuit. I can't imagine that any federal court judge would actually go along with this nonsense.

    • It doesn't take mch pondering as to why "our" so-called "government" today or this administration is pushing such: The average criminal is a liberal...."Birds of a feather"

    • I had a part time job, was a full time student and sold drugs just to try and maintain a home and my college education. I know i messed up and it was illegal but i want the opportunity now to make thing's right, and am denied. There is no real alternative for us anymore. I don't want to be helpless to this. All i want is an opportunity. I never had one in the first place, state-raised most of my life and state owned now. I'm not looking for sympathy, just a chance to do better. I also can't believe how hateful the other posts are. Have you guy's ever been where we are? I wish one day there could be a mutual understanding between us that can prove my intentions are now and have always been honorable.

    • As an example -- my sister-in-law worked for McDonalds for almost 2 years, they knew she had a record, she was hired while in a half-way house, yet 2 years later she was wrongfully terminated for being a felon, which they knew when she was hired. She was suting up and showing up every day, working the hours no one else wanted to work, getting called in whenever for no shows, doing the job the cute and privileged wouldn't do, great work record. Its a shame. If you've never had to walk the walk, then God bless you, but everyone isn't born into the same privileges or opportunities, no matter what race you are. Its easy to spout when you haven't walked a mile in another's shoes.

    • I can certainly empathize with those that have felonies that are not major crimes and cannot find a job. It is difficult nowadays to job hunt, with employers looking at everything from criminal history to credit history. Sometimes it is ridiculous, I can understand not hiring those that have a major felony on their record like armed robbery, sexual assault, murder. Many employers though also have policies regarding drug charges seperate from the felony charges. Especially when dealing with state run operations, or operations that are overseen by state agencies. What I do not understand is why people have to be so rude in comments anymore. Not just this article but all articles that I tend to read comments on. It seems someone always brings up politics and it is just plain BS. This article has nothing to do with being liberal or conservative. What has happened to compassion and understanding as a nation. Yes I would consider myself a liberal, but I am very middle of the road like most Americans are. I can have compassion for individuals, but still believe in the death penalty. People wonder what is wrong in America, it is that nobody wants to stop and put themselves in someone elses position. They want to blame and accuse, and fight apparently. It is always someone elses fault. If people would stop looking for things to hate and complain about and focus on progress and making things better we might end up with a different world. I mean it is what we make it after all!

    • The EEOC better get crackin' and bring a suit against the government as well then. It is currently their policy to prohibit felons to work in schools and on government funded projects !!!!

    • While we're at it, why don't we let the felons start voting again? Isn't denying a convicted felon the right to vote discriminatory against blacks too? I am surprised that hasn't been challenged yet.

    • Margaret....We can vote...Here in Texas....

    • I believe that being able to find gainful employment is a key part to rehabilitation. Where they work should also be limited depending on charges. If they are a pedophile I don't believe they should be working around children. there are plenty of other things that they can do if trained. Released felons are sometimes among the most intelligent people because they have spent a lot of time reading, studying, and even getting the training for key skills required to survive. Everyone deserves the same opportunity.

    • Depends on the crime. Why should all felons be automatically excluded? And no all criminals are not liberals! What a ridiculous statement. Do you even think about what you write or are you just amazingly dumb?

    • Of course our opinions don't matter. These corps are creation's of the big corp, i.e., the U.S.. These same instruments have re-instated the old British "Debtors Prison" by allowing their sibling 'corpses' like the big three "CREDIT AGENCIES" to deny debtors access to the new (circa 1965) "fraudulent" money system. In other words if you're on one of the 3, or all of them' (EQUIFAX; EXPERIAN etc.) list of debtors -you may not be able to get a job or even a Drivers License - though I don't know why anyone wants a Drivers License unless they're engaged in "Transportation". Most felons are usually government targets and merely violators of corporate by-laws. Besides that it appears that the statute violators will never stop paying for their trespasses, no matter whether they fulfilled their obligations or not.

    • I think it is BS because I'm a convicted felon I did no jail time and the only crime I did was I brought cigarettes to a jail and caught my charge and now I can't find a job at all and I'm a hard worker deicated and always on time

    • People wonder why business owners are not hiring or choosing to spend money on automating jobs instead of hiring people. This is one of the reasons. Every job we are forced to give to a felon is one that is taken away from a law abiding citizen.

    • One problem with a blanket no felon hiring practice is, and I'm sure people that have never been arrested do not know this, is that since the mid 90s, jails and court systems have implemented a "plead out to get out" policy..That means that if someone who is arrested cannot afford to post their bail, they have to stay incarcerated until their court date, and which in the case of a felony arrest, if they are not guilty and plan on pleading not guilty at a jury trial, that person(which has not been found guilty yet, remember?) can wait in jail for their day in court for up to 5 years!! Unless they are willing to plead guilty, in which case they can inform the courts of their wish to plead guilty, and get into court in a matter of 2 weeks in most cases!! I know for a fact they use this practice in Georgia..Sure alot of these people are guilty, but there are also alot of innocent people that simply cannot afford to post bond and get out to fight their cases like most people, but instead are "forced" to plead guilty to get out, because pleading not guilty means a very lengthy jail stay..So having a blanket hiring policy against felons unfairly prevents people like this the chance to get a job and provide for their families, it essentially ruins their lives, all because they were "forced" to plead out by their local "justice" system!!

    • I know a guy who in his youth caught a felony, in his teens, and now in his 40's still struggles to find employment. This guy went on to raise two beautiful children, and is one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet, I was suprised to learn about his past, but knowing him now as well as I do, it makes me sad to know he struggles with something he did wrong 20 years ago. I know the word Felon sounds bad...and some are, but how easy it is nowadays to catch one, (you can even get a felony charge for speeding at certain speeds in your vehicle and what young person isn't guilty of that once or twice?) The problem is, the mistakes are never forgiven by society and the ones that honestly try to change their ways are handicapped or limited to jobs that barely pay minimum wage...Ever try to raise a family on that?. How can we expect these guys and gals who once made a mistake ever get a second chance? How many of us did things when we were younger that had we been caught could have very easily gotten a charge or two? i was no angel myself, and think it's very hypocritical of those that "didn't get caught" to act like this. So what happens is, we have many people roaming our streets and neighborhoods without any second chance at life to prove themselves...none of us are perfect, its too bad as a society that we can't be a little more forgiving.

    • I live in Accrington u.k, i am one of those many who is having difficulty aquiring employment due to criminal convction even though i have not done any time in prison.
      i am currently having difficulties with the job centre because of the fact that my conviction is stopping employer's from hiring me.
      i feel lost because i don't know where to turn or what my options are.

    • Hiring a person should be about your work experience and the ability to do the job, Because these days the people who are commenting this mass murders have no criminal history , nor do most serial killers that has been caught , Just think about the many who has not been caught. In plain site appear to be good law abiding citizens, until the day their crimes has been exposed. You never know.

    • The difference in them and you is they got caught. Granted, there are some mean people out there, but the majority are not. Ever taking someone else's prescription drug? Ever smoked mj? Ever told a lie? Ever done anything that you covered your tracks? Ever young and stupid? But......you did mature and move on in life. Remember, when you point a finger at someone, you have 3 pointing back at yourself. There was only one perfect man.

    • I am disheartened by the turnout of the poll. I am a 29 year old from ohio. I was in a volatile relationship with the mother of my daughter. We would get into arguments almost every night. There were instances where the police were called by our neighbors cause of loud arguing and dishes being broken. Almost every time the police got called the arguments were started and accelerated by my ex. I owned the house we lived in and everything inside of the house was bought by me. After three different occasions I was charged with domestic violence by the state of Ohio. Even though my ex didnt wish to pursue any criminal action the state made it their job to ruin my life. I was charged with a felony Domestic Violence charge. I paid fines and had only to complete probation. There were no actual physical marks or proof of any physical harm. The photos showed this. The judge after hearing the case only gave me probation and fines. I was wrongfully charged with a felony in my opinion and as a result I cannot find a decent job. I have a family that depends on me to make money. I have a great resume and experience but never get out of the starting gate with most jobs. I am a caring, honest, loving individual who would do anything to help another in need. I was raised by a loving close family who taught me the values of being a good person. Even though I know I am a good person and am against a man hitting a woman, I will always be thought of and looked at as a criminal with violent tendencies. Meanwhile we see video footage on a daily basis of police officers ( people who are expected to serve and protect the people) using excessive force and police brutality. Most of which never get criminally charged for their misconduct and even more who are able to keep their jobs after such incidents.

    • I am disgusted from the votes on this site. I am a 26 year old male who made a mistake when i was 17 years old. I have a 1 year old little girl and a fiancee. My previous job relocated and forced me out of work. People with no background complain they can find a job but for me it's 10x harder even with experience. Not only does this put a hardship on me but this also effects my innocent daughter who has done nothing to this world. I guess she also must grow up and be punished. I feel bullied and a dream is long forgotten in the land of dreams? All humans make mistakes and make bad choices so before you label me as a outkast and legally discriminate against me you might look in the mirror because you ain't perfect.

    • I cant get a job cause of my felony how do i pose to eat survive? A TEMP SERVICE? These REPUBLICANS ARE careless fools WE ONLY CARE FOR THE WHITE SOCIETY............Most people with criminal backgrounds are minorities or white trash is what they call it. A FELON SHOULD HAVE MORES RIGHTS

    • what's really bad is when you are a convicted felon based on lies and political greed. when you are innocent but no one will even listen to you because you're guilty until you purchase your innocence. this is what america has turned into.

    • im a white female 42yr old convicted felon that was charged in 1993 over 20yrs ago and can't get a job so i allow those that can support me. i am on medicaid and food stamps thank you to those that can work to support me and my family since they are the very ones that won't allow me to work!! ;) i have been resentful and mad about this for many yrs but whats the point now. i paid my price and pay it every day. i have tried to work through temp agencies and etc to just turn around and be fired over the background. so i finally gave up. there should be a law that allows people like us to expunge our records so we can provide for our families instead of relying on government assistance. but there is no such law so therefore i suffer you suffer!!

    • I attempted suicide over the possibility of not being in my daughters life. At the last second I decided I shouldn't take my life and that I should be there for my daughter. The method was to be by overdose. Since I didn't go through with it, I was still in possession on 1 Xanax pill. That one pill was a felony.
      Ever since then I can not find any work. I've been homeless for 5 yrs now. Now my daughter and myself regularly skips meals and sleep in the car.
      I guess that what America wants.

    • I am a felon and if you will not hire me..fine I'll sit on welfare, pay no taxes, eat off food stamps, and take all the free hand outs I can get on your tax dollar. Go ahead American employers, I may have served my time in jail, but that doesn't mean I'm incapable of having a job or doing an outstanding job for you as an employee. Your so judgemental. If you'd give me a chance you'd see that if hired..I'd probably be so appreciative to have the opportunity that i'd devote my life to your company and never look else where for another job ever again.

      I was convicted of insurance fraud, my husband lied to the police and said someone broke into his house. When he finally fessed up to me of what he had done..I feared turning in my husband and loosing him to the prison system and becoming a single mom of 2 -4 year old's was scary. So I simply didn't tell the police what he had done. In the state where I resided witholding the truth results in being charged as an accessory thus punishable to the same extent as the actual offender.

      Welfare sucks, and I'd kill to have a good job with health benefits and retirement. Now i'm working at some fast food joint, making lunch for a bunch of business owners and corporate punks...Guess who's spitting in your food?

    • i had an interview but just as soon as they found out im a felon for a non violent crime i might add then it was a quick no. my brother whom is a felon went on disability just so he could support his family. this seems like a good idea let the gov pay me to live and pay my bills because its pretty clear that the public dont care. and whats worse p and p dont care they thank i lie to them when i tell them this stuff. so look out missouri gov i hope you can afford me.

    • As you look at the polls of this section where people have said that employers should be able to not hire because of a felon, it is only because this group probably does not have felons and are probably mostly white. The majority of people that have felons are African Americans. However, race does not matter. The point is that this country that we call America does not believe in second chances. We believe in God, (Jesus) which is what our constitution was written and based on, yet we feel that our own citizens have not the right to correct there wrong. Many of the crimes convicted by African American men are crimes that involve making money. (Non-violent crimes). We all want a peice of the American dream but often times don't know how to go about doing so. I am a felon and I do believe in confessing to what you do and doing right. But it is very hard to go that route when someone will not hire you. I was convicted of Retail Theft and Check Forgery. And no company since 2003 will hire. I am honest about what I did, but obviously we live in a country where no one thinks you can change. It is hard, but yet I have found that the only way is to keep positive and more than likely I just have to start my own business. It shouldn't have to be this way.

    • would you rather have every felon on welfare living tax free or would you take the risk of letting them work? that's my question to the you guys

    • It's about time something gets done about this, we are citizens just like anyone else. I don't care about voting as it does nothing anyways and there is no one I would vote for but Ron Paul, Rand Paul, and any like minded politicians. It's time these employers get their feet held to the fire over this crap, if you are tired of shoplifting or having your store robbed then stop denying the people who need the job most, otherwise yes you will be robbed and have lots of things stolen from your company if you don't. Heck, the applicant you chose to deny might actually wait for you to get off. :-) Better wise up and give up these jobs.

    • i feel that it is discrimination

    • when i was 17 years old i got into a fight and won and the other guy called the cops and falsely accused me of stealing a gold chain from him this never happened but i was only 17 years old and could not afford a good lawyer so i had no other choice really it was either go to trial and possibly spend 4-7 years in prison or plead guilty and take 2 years of probation so i did the plea bargain so then i was a convicted felon.

      i worked as a mover at the time until they found out about my felony then i went and joined the U.S Marine Corps i was lucky enough to find a recruiter that would help me out after several attempts so now i am an American Marine Corps veteran and have not been arrested since and still can't find a decent job with a living wage and i am 40 years old now that was 24 years ago and it's still held against me it's ridiculous i had no other problems with the law in 24 years and sacrificed a lot serving in the Marines i think i have more than paid my debt back to society but they just turn their back on me they need to make a law that lets yu expunge a felony if you only have 1 and no other interactions with the police.

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