Revert hiring policies requiring 10-year criminal history and disclosing of misdemeanors
The Issue
I'm a single mother striving to build a better future for myself and my son in West Jordan, UT, while pursuing a degree at a local community college. Unfortunately, recent changes in hiring practices have thwarted my efforts to secure employment, as they demand the disclosure of a decade's worth of criminal background history, encompassing both felonies and misdemeanors.
This mandate not only impacts my family but is an unjust and onerous requirement that unfairly penalizes job seekers who have paid their dues and are trying to turn their lives around. In West Jordan and beyond, countless individuals face the same barrier, hindering their ability to provide for their families and contribute positively to the community.
Retrieving such extensive history for every job application is not only intrusive but also discriminatory, particularly for those who have already undergone transformative rehabilitation and are earnestly seeking a second chance. According to the National Employment Law Project, 70 million Americans have some form of criminal record, and research consistently shows that stable employment is crucial for reducing recidivism and enhancing public safety.
Revisions to these hiring practices should aim to strike a balance between understanding an applicant's background and acknowledging their potential for growth and change. We propose that employers in West Jordan focus on a more reasonable and humane approach, such as limiting the required criminal history disclosure to three to five years, particularly avoiding the inclusion of minor infractions like misdemeanors unless they are relevant to the specific job.
This change in policy would not only empower me and others in similar situations with better employment opportunities but also foster a fairer and more inclusive local job market. Help us petition the West Jordan employers to adopt hiring practices that enable individuals with past criminal records to demonstrate they are more than their histories and can contribute valuably to society.
Sign this petition to advocate for equitable hiring practices and support the future of West Jordan’s community.
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The Issue
I'm a single mother striving to build a better future for myself and my son in West Jordan, UT, while pursuing a degree at a local community college. Unfortunately, recent changes in hiring practices have thwarted my efforts to secure employment, as they demand the disclosure of a decade's worth of criminal background history, encompassing both felonies and misdemeanors.
This mandate not only impacts my family but is an unjust and onerous requirement that unfairly penalizes job seekers who have paid their dues and are trying to turn their lives around. In West Jordan and beyond, countless individuals face the same barrier, hindering their ability to provide for their families and contribute positively to the community.
Retrieving such extensive history for every job application is not only intrusive but also discriminatory, particularly for those who have already undergone transformative rehabilitation and are earnestly seeking a second chance. According to the National Employment Law Project, 70 million Americans have some form of criminal record, and research consistently shows that stable employment is crucial for reducing recidivism and enhancing public safety.
Revisions to these hiring practices should aim to strike a balance between understanding an applicant's background and acknowledging their potential for growth and change. We propose that employers in West Jordan focus on a more reasonable and humane approach, such as limiting the required criminal history disclosure to three to five years, particularly avoiding the inclusion of minor infractions like misdemeanors unless they are relevant to the specific job.
This change in policy would not only empower me and others in similar situations with better employment opportunities but also foster a fairer and more inclusive local job market. Help us petition the West Jordan employers to adopt hiring practices that enable individuals with past criminal records to demonstrate they are more than their histories and can contribute valuably to society.
Sign this petition to advocate for equitable hiring practices and support the future of West Jordan’s community.
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Petition created on July 25, 2025