June 28, 2018
"On July 1, the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations (PCHR) will officially launch Fair Chance Philly, a messaging campaign to raise awareness about the City of Philadelphia’s Fair Chance Hiring Law, previously known as “Ban the Box.” The law helps open doors to employment for Philadelphians with a criminal record and aids in reducing recidivism by making it illegal for employers to ask about a person’s criminal record during the hiring process. The multi-media campaign, funded through a grant from Samuel S. Fels Fund, will begin spreading out across the city through a variety of local neighborhood newspapers, radio spots, Septa transit advertising, and distribution of print materials through partner organizations. The public will see the information ads in Spanish and English in bus shelters along main transit routes. “According to the National Employment Law Project, an estimated 70 million U.S. adults – nearly 1 in 3 Americans - have a criminal record of arrests or convictions that hinder their job opportunities despite their skills and qualifications,” said Rue Landau, Executive Director of the PCHR. “It is essential that people with criminal records know their rights when seeking employment.” The Fair Chance Philly campaign focuses on sharing information about Philadelphia’s Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards Ordinance, which prohibits discrimination against individuals who have a criminal record when they are applying for employment. Philadelphia’s law addresses the hiring policies that create obstacles for individuals who are trying to turn their lives around and be contributing members of their communities. Individuals can learn more about their rights when applying and interviewing for jobs in Philadelphia by visiting www.phila.gov/FairChancePhilly. Information is also available about the proper use of criminal record information by employers, an applicant’s options if rejected for a position, and how an individual can file a complaint if they believe their rights have been violated. The campaign with run through August 31st throughout the city."
See these materials to circulate!