Ann Arbor Won’t Bar Job Applicants with Felonies

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As a result of Ann Arbor city council action taken on May 5, 2014, city job applicants who have past felony conviction will not be barred from employment by the city of Ann Arbor – unless the exclusion is “job-related for the position in question and consistent with business necessity.”

The resolution directs city staff to revise the city’s employment application to eliminate a requirement that applicants disclose past criminal records – except for police and fire department applicants. Criminal background checks will not be conducted until after an applicant is determined to be otherwise qualified for the position and has received a conditional offer of employment.

And when a criminal background check is conducted, the following factors will need to be considered, according to the resolution passed by the council on May 5:

  1. The nature and gravity of the offense or conduct for which the individual was convicted;
  2. The time that has passed since the offense or conduct and/or completion of the sentence;
  3. The nature of the job sought;
  4. The facts or circumstances surrounding the offense or conduct;
  5. The number of offenses for which the individual was convicted;
  6. Age at the time of conviction, or release from prison;
  7. Evidence that the individual performed the same type of work post-conviction, with another employer, with no known incidents of criminal conduct;
  8. The length and consistency of employment history before and after the offense or conduct;
  9. Rehabilitation efforts;
  10. Employment or character references and any other information regarding fitness for the particular position; and
  11. Whether the individual is bonded under a federal, state or local bonding program.

This brief was filed from the city council’s chambers on the second floor of city hall, located at 301 E. Huron.