In a previous blog entitled “Considerations for ex-offenders,” we mentioned several states who have taken various approaches to promote the hiring of ex-offenders. New York enacted Article 23-A which requires all New York employers to consider certain factors when making hiring decisions regarding ex offenders. Texas invoked a “Seal” law that allows offenders to request to have their records sealed and states such as Connecticut, Minnesota and Arizona may not deny employment solely because of a prior conviction unless there is a reasonable relationship between the conviction and employment. In joining these efforts, Philadelphia has proposed an enticing deal to its city’s businesses to promote the hiring of ex-offenders. 

 

In an article from The Philadelphia Inquirer, “The mayor unveiled an initiative to drive down Philadelphia’s crime rate, and City Council wrote it into law nearly 18 months ago. Under its terms, local companies can receive tax breaks of $10,000.00 a year – for three years – for each ex-offender working at least six months as of Jan. 1, 2008.”http://www.philly.com/inquirer/home_region/20090415_No_takers_for_tax_break_to_hire_ex-cons.html   Though companies did inquire, a program stipulation requiring companies to publicly proclaim participation was seen as a drawback. The article went on to note, “Some companies, in addition to not wanting to be publicly named, object that the program requires them to pay ex-offenders more than their current unionized workforce. For a company to get the tax credit, it must pay ex-offenders 150 percent of the federal minimum hourly wage - which currently adds up to about $10.00 per hour.”

 

Though this program has not yet seen a big success, there have since been two un-named companies who have enrolled in this program for 2009 and have hired roughly fifteen ex-offenders between them. We may see more companies take part in the program but with the current state of the economy there aren’t too many companies currently looking to take on new workers.