Most would let employers weigh criminal history in hiring, with limits
Core finding
Employers' use of criminal history in hiring divides Americans mostly over when it should be allowed, not whether. In a January 2024 Verasight survey, 88% say employers should be able to consider an applicant's record in at least some circumstances, including 30% who say they should always be able to.
A combined 58% would set conditions: 29% would let employers use criminal history only for certain crimes, and 29% only when the crime is relevant to the position. Just 12% say employers should not be able to use it at all.
Topline distribution
Most would let employers weigh criminal history in hiring, with limits.
As you may know, while "ban the box" legislation prohibits employers from asking about a criminal record on initial application forms in some states, a person's criminal history is routinely used in determining employment eligibility. Which of the following comes closest to your views on this issue?
n = 1,000 · Jan 18–24, 2024 · MoE ±3.5%
Methodology
Full methodology →| Mode | Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting |
|---|---|
| Population | United States adults |
| Field dates | Jan 18–24, 2024 |
| Base (unweighted) | 1,000 |
| Margin of error | ±3.5% |
| Module | Verasight Interdisciplinary Omnibus Survey #2024-006 |
| Sponsor | Verasight |
| Weight variable | weight |
| Weighting targets | age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status |
Sources
- www.verasight.io/post/verasights-supports-academic-and-nonprofit-researchers
Which of the following comes closest to your views on this issue?
Cite this question
Verasight Interdisciplinary Omnibus Survey #2024-006, fielded January 18-24, 2024, N=1,000 United States adults, +/- 3.5%.