Register Now for the 6th Annual HIRE Conference

6th Annual Reentry Policy Conference Meeting Employer and Job Seeker Needs: Criminal Record Policies that Work

Registration is now open for the National H.I.R.E. Network’s 6th Annual NYS Reentry Policy Conference! The event is free, but pre-registration is required. Follow this link to sign up online now.

• Date: Monday, September 26, 2011
• Time: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Location: New York University School of Law Tishman Auditorium, New York, NY
• Keynote Speaker: Jacqueline Berrien, Chair, U. S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
• See the full agenda here.
In the wake of national discussions about criminal background check policies and their impact on employment opportunities for qualified job seekers with criminal histories, it is critical that we strive for solutions within our own communities. We must develop meaningful solutions that satisfy the needs and concerns of both job seekers and employers.

This year's conference will feature three panels:
Panel 1: Anti-Discrimination: A Human and Civil Right
The increased number of exclusionary criminal record policies that prevent qualified job seekers with criminal records from competing for jobs and obtaining occupational licenses have become a leading civil rights issue for the nation. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, New York State, and New York City have established in policy and law that workers with criminal histories should be given a fair opportunity to compete for a job, obtain licenses, and advance in careers for which they are duly qualified. Still, criminal record based discrimination exists. How do we work to eliminate it?

Panel 2: Employment Policies: Employer & Job Seeker Challenges
Criminal records pose great challenges for job seekers and employers. Employers have a legitimate concern about the risk of hiring workers with criminal histories and job seekers with criminal histories often have to overcome the challenge of meeting a good moral character standard that may be delineated in law or in the policies and practices of hiring managers. How can good moral character be properly assessed and determined? How can we protect employers who believe in second chances?

Panel 3: Education and Advocacy Strategies that Facilitate Opportunity & Social Responsibility
The goal for this movement is to increase and improve employment opportunities for people with criminal histories who can and who want to work. Employers have the ability, authority, and responsibility to create those opportunities for qualified workers. How can we encourage more businesses in the private sector to act responsibly and rationally when considering qualified job seekers with criminal records for employment?

We look forward to seeing you there! For questions or more information, please contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

LAC and the National H.I.R.E. Network extend our sincere thanks to the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services and JobsFirst NYC for their sponsorship of this event.

 

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