Reexamining Ban-the-Box (BTB) policies shows their effects on minority men’s employment are less clear than previously reported. Correcting coding errors in prior research reveals that estimates differ by dataset: the Current Population Survey (CPS) suggests negative effects, while the larger American Community Survey (ACS) shows no significant impact. Differences stem from sample size and statistical power rather than population composition. Overall, evidence indicates BTB has limited, uncertain effects, challenging claims of widespread unintended consequences for minority job seekers.
Hiring Tips Blog

Revisiting the Unintended Consequences of Ban the Box
Dec 1, 2025 | Criminal History Check
Recent Posts
- Identity Verification is Now a Hiring Must-Have
- Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS) Approves Bayometric’s Live Scan Fingerprinting System
- Hair Testing More Reliable for Detecting Illegal Drug Use, HHS Panel Told
- Up in Smoke: Should Businesses Still Drug Test for Marijuana?
- Marijuana’s Restrictive Federal Classification Isn’t Supported by Science, New Study Concludes
Categories
- Artificial Intelligence Fraud (6)
- Background Check Compliance (109)
- Background Check Laws (68)
- Background Screening (57)
- Biometric Identification (10)
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (2)
- Credit Checks (33)
- Criminal History Check (194)
- Data Protection & Privacy (131)
- E-Verify Issues (84)
- Education Verification (9)
- Educational and Childcare Hiring (28)
- EEOC (52)
- Employer Negligence (37)
- Employment Screening (144)
- Fair Credit Reporting Act (111)
- Featured Posts (1)
- Financial Services Hiring (11)
- Healthcare Hiring (13)
- Hiring Legal Compliance (3)
- Home Services and Repairs Hiring (6)
- Human Resources & Benefits (26)
- Immigration Issues (99)
- IT and Data Security Hiring (12)
- Medical & Pharmaceutical Industry Hiring (15)
- Occupational Fraud (26)
- Pre-employment Drug Testing (201)
- Public Safety Hiring (1)
- Retail Hiring (14)
- Security Services Hiring (3)
- Social Media (32)
- Transportation Industry Hiring (23)
- Uncategorized (1)
- Wage History Checks (4)

