To: President Donald Trump, The Kansas State House, The Kansas State Senate, Governor Laura Kelly, The United States House of Representatives, and The United States Senate
Equal Employment Opportunity for Ex-Offenders
Equal Employment Opportunity for Ex-Offenders.
It is illegal to discriminate based on Race, Color, Religion, Sex, National Origin, Disability, Age, and Genetics. This petition is to add the existence of a criminal record to the list. Those who completed their sentencing and are not on any registered offender lists should have an equal employment opportunity.
It is illegal to discriminate based on Race, Color, Religion, Sex, National Origin, Disability, Age, and Genetics. This petition is to add the existence of a criminal record to the list. Those who completed their sentencing and are not on any registered offender lists should have an equal employment opportunity.
Why is this important?
Companies refuse to hire eligible candidates based on past criminal records. My husband was in a car wreck 8 years ago and received a felony. He was laid off 4 years ago and has received numerous job offers. He listed the felony on the application, was in negotiations, a background check was completed and each time the job offer was withdrawn due to the felony conviction.
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics there are 12-14 Million ex-offenders of working age in the United States. Costing the US economy $65 billion in lost output through unemployment and welfare services. Not to mention the mental health costs and risks of recidivism related to unemployed and discriminated ex-felons.
This is a preventable financial loss. Equal Employment Opportunity for ex-offenders is step one in lowering the strain of welfare programs on the US economy. Every ex-offender I speak with would rather have a job and be a contributing member of society. There are jobs available but companies are refusing eligible applicants who already paid their time and were determined ready for society. In researching positions my husband applied for we found they generally remain open and are not filled quickly by other applicants because the best candidate for the job had a criminal history and the company is still hunting for someone with the same qualifications.
It is illegal to discriminate based on Race, Color, Religion, Sex, National Origin, Disability, Age, and Genetics. This petition is to add the existence of a criminal record to the list. Those who completed their sentencing and are not on any registered offender lists should have an equal employment opportunity.
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics there are 12-14 Million ex-offenders of working age in the United States. Costing the US economy $65 billion in lost output through unemployment and welfare services. Not to mention the mental health costs and risks of recidivism related to unemployed and discriminated ex-felons.
This is a preventable financial loss. Equal Employment Opportunity for ex-offenders is step one in lowering the strain of welfare programs on the US economy. Every ex-offender I speak with would rather have a job and be a contributing member of society. There are jobs available but companies are refusing eligible applicants who already paid their time and were determined ready for society. In researching positions my husband applied for we found they generally remain open and are not filled quickly by other applicants because the best candidate for the job had a criminal history and the company is still hunting for someone with the same qualifications.
It is illegal to discriminate based on Race, Color, Religion, Sex, National Origin, Disability, Age, and Genetics. This petition is to add the existence of a criminal record to the list. Those who completed their sentencing and are not on any registered offender lists should have an equal employment opportunity.