If you are seeking employment in Westchester County, you are covered by the Fair Chance to Work Act, which is a “Ban the Box” law. The law applies if you are applying to work for a government agency (except for law enforcement agencies) or a private sector employer.
Under the law, no employer can ask about your criminal record on a job application form. They also cannot post any advertisement that directly or indirectly limits or gives preference to certain applicants based on their criminal conviction record. After you have submitted a job application, an employer can ask about your arrest or conviction record.
However, if an employer decides not to go forward with your candidacy, they must perform an analysis of your criminal record with the factors listed in Article 23-A of the New York State Correction Law. You may request, and the employer must then provide, a written statement that states the reasons why you were not hired.