As a teenager, I stepped into the workforce full of ambition and excitement. My dream of financial independence, however, shifted into a nightmare. Assigned to work side-by-side with an undisclosed violent sex offender, a class 3 felon, I spent hours alone with this individual. The company had assured me that they did not hire people with such criminal backgrounds; their word meant nothing, as information of a sex offender is public knowledge. My fellow coworkers were the ones, after he had already abandoned the job, who showed me a google search of his name which lead to learning just how violently he had assaulted the girl that lead to him being a sex offender originally, only a year or so prior to being hired. No longer able to trust my employer, I left, but not without consequence. Harassment and stalking have continued to be a part of my daily life for years. From having my car followed for miles, to having my work broken into several times, I’ve gone from a star employee with hopes of franchising to just a scared girl, concerned he is just parked outside waiting. Not being allowed to have someone in the store with me and being completely alone while still working there made it all worse, minus the fact they had hired him in the first place with the knowledge we’d be within arms reach.

This story is not unique to just me, as much as I really wish it was. Thousands of teens and parents across our city, state, and nation place their trust in their employers and are entitled to their right to a safe working environment. It is necessary that we collaborate to change policies and require employers to inform their staff if and when they share a workspace with individuals who have violent sex offenses, especially when underage workers are employed. 

Minors and their parents must be notified of such hiring decisions before employment begins, and then as it continues. This measure goes beyond mere legal obligation; it is a moral and social responsibility that ensures company operations are transparent and that the safety and wellbeing of all employees, especially those vulnerable, are prioritized.

Yet, it is important to highlight that the goal of this petition is not to hinder former offenders' reintegration into society, but to guarantee safety for those in the future- be that teen, adult, male or female. A study by the US Department of Justice found that sex offenders were four times more likely than non-sex offenders to be arrested for another sex crime after release from prison.

In my instance, the individual violated his restraining order 3 times (with his most recent victim) before being hired to work with me, and other minors. He had violently beat and raped said victim.

This petition will help to put forward a law where employees are informed of working alongside sex offenders, whether the offense happens before or during their work relationship. Please join me in this crucial fight for workplace transparency and safety, so that we might prevent more “if only”’s with the knowledge we do have.