“Check ‘yes’ if ever been convicted of a felony.” That one box on job applications was the center of some heated conversations at City Hall. Called “Ban the Box,” the legislation would take away an employer’s right to ask if a person is a convicted felon on job applications. Submitted by Councilman Adam McFadden, the ban would apply to city employers or vendors with four or more employees.
Representing Rochester’s South District, McFadden said he wants to give ex-felons a foot in the door, so they aren’t excluded from a job interview solely because of a box checked yes.