Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations: "Ban the box!"

In light of this recent tragedy here in Charlotte, where an ex-con murdered his co-worker in a bungled robbery, this campaign in Philadelphia to prohibit ALL background checks can only be called a tragedy in the making:

New legislation in Philadelphia aimed at giving ex-convicts a chance to make a better first impression at job interviews was the topic of a legal seminar this morning in center city. Employers were learning how the law is being enforced by the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations.

The law firm of Zarwin Baum hosted the seminar for some of their clients, addressing a new regulation that has been dubbed “Ban the Box.”

Those regulations prohibit employers from inquiring about a job applicant’s criminal background on the initial application. “Banning the box” refers to the box that would ask, “Have you ever been convicted of a crime?”

I'm all for giving someone a second chance - that is, IF they demonstrate true repentance. But an employer can't even make that determination if he doesn't know all the facts. For the safety of innocent co-workers, employers must be able to uncover an applicant's history.