Are employers allowed to ask job applicants about their criminal records?

In Massachusetts, employers are allowed to ask job applicants about their criminal records during the job application process. However, they must follow certain rules and regulations when doing so. For example, employers cannot ask applicants about certain types of convictions or arrests that are more than 10 years old unless the job is in law enforcement or public safety. They must also provide a written statement of why the inquiry is being made. Overall, employers are allowed to ask the question, as long as they comply with the necessary regulations. This is done as an effort to ensure that employers make decisions based on the information that is relevant to the job, and to ensure that applicants have the opportunity to explain any criminal history they may have. However, employers should consider other factors such as references and qualifications when making decisions about hiring. Additionally, employers are not allowed to discriminate against applicants based on their criminal record. This means that employers cannot disqualify an applicant solely on the basis of a criminal record. Ultimately, employers are allowed to ask applicants regarding their criminal record, but they must do so in a way that is compliant with the law. Additionally, employers should not solely rely on criminal background information when making their decisions about hiring.

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