November 1, 2013 marks the start of new restrictions on Seattle employers’ use of criminal background checks for employment purposes. The Job Assistance Ordinance forbids employers from requiring job applicants to disclose arrest and/or conviction records as a part of initial job applications, and restricts how employers may use criminal arrest and conviction records that are disclosed. Below are a few suggestions to ensure that your workplace’s applications and hiring procedures comply with the new law.

Seattle Criminal Background Check Compliance Checklist -

Determine which employees or positions fall under the Job Assistance Ordinance. If you have employees who work in Seattle as well as outside of Seattle, only those employees or positions who work 50% or more of their time in Seattle are subject to the new law...