Employers have traditionally asked job applicants and employees to state whether they have any felony criminal convictions by checking a box yes or no. And employers in most states still inquire about felony criminal convictions—but thirteen states and the District of Columbia have enacted ban-the-box or chance-to-compete laws that prohibit employers from asking this question—at least in an initial job application. These states include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. And more than 30 states have similar laws that apply to government employers.

The (federal) Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has stated that a rigid policy of inquiring about criminal convictions and denying employment on that basis may violate federal antidiscrimination laws, as such a policy may have a disparate impact on certain racial groups. The EEOC encourages employers to make the decision on a case-by-case basis after considering the nature of the job, the severity of the criminal offense, and the amount of time that has elapsed since the criminal conviction. Beginning in 2021, federal agencies and contractors may not inquire into an applicant’s criminal history until after a conditional offer has been made.

And many states have laws that prohibit employers from considering arrest records, as arrest records are distinct from conviction records and arrests are not a determination or adjudication of guilt. Laws regarding the ability of employers to ask job applicants and employees about arrest and criminal convictions vary from state to state and are generally located in a state’s statutes.

There are serious potential consequences to a job applicant or employee not disclosing a felony conviction when asked—including (1) loss of employment when the employer receives the results of a background check that includes the conviction, and (2) loss of unemployment benefits because the termination is for the employee’s untruthfulness.

In Mississippi, there is currently no statewide 'ban-the-box' law that prohibits private employers from asking about criminal history on initial job applications. Employers in Mississippi are generally allowed to inquire about felony convictions during the hiring process. However, they must comply with federal regulations, including guidance from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which discourages blanket policies against hiring individuals with criminal records due to potential disparate impact on certain racial groups. Employers are encouraged to assess applicants on a case-by-case basis, considering the nature and gravity of the offense, the time elapsed, and the nature of the job sought. Additionally, federal law now prohibits federal agencies and contractors from asking about criminal history until after a conditional job offer has been made. While Mississippi employers can ask about felony convictions, they should be cautious about using arrest records in their hiring decisions, as arrests do not equate to convictions. Failure to disclose a felony conviction when asked can lead to termination and potential ineligibility for unemployment benefits due to untruthfulness.