The City of Philadelphia has a Ban the Box policy for both city and private employers. An employer can conduct a background check only after it makes a conditional offer of employment. The employer can go back only seven years in an applicant's history. The employer must establish a connection between your convicted offense and the particular position before disqualifying a candidate. If an applicant is denied employment, the employer must provide them with a copy of the background check and notify them in writing. You have the opportunity to provide additional information or refute information in the report within 10 business days. Fair chance protections have also been extended to independent contractors and “gig” workers.
