Conviction Questionq

Don D

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 08-12-04 AT 07:32AM (CST)[/font][br][br][font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 08-11-04 AT 10:31 PM (CST)[/font]

Does anyone know of any recent rumblings in MS of employers being prohibited from asking about convictions on an application? Peyton Irby, are you out there?

AJ SPHR

????

mdm

x:-/

Peyton Irby MS

any employer can ask the question "Have you been convicted, pled guilty or pled no contest to a felony?" with a caveat attached that an affirmative answer does not automatically disqualify a candidate. some employers such as banks, schools, and security services routinely ask and depending on the offense, may legally deny employment on that basis. highly regulated employers, especially those that require licensure [certain casino positions and insurance sales], have the protection of the state licensure agencies denial of suitability.
Peyton Irby
Editor, Mississippi Employment Law Letter
Watkins Ludlam Winter & Stennis, P.A.
(601) 949-4810
[email]pirby@watkinsludlam.com[/email]

marc

Hey Peyton, that is pretty good service. Don asks the question at almost 9 in the evening and you respond by 8:20 in the morning. That's better service than I get even on the clock! Well done.

Don D

Actually he was quicker than that! I deleted my question last night and retyped it this morning at 7:32. He responded 48 minutes later.

The reason for my question is that our corporate office in Ohio decided to require several states to change their applications in order 'to stay in compliance with various state laws'. That was the change to Mississippi's application. There is no law addressing this question being on an application in this state that I'm aware of.