Excerpted from fresnobee.com, by Brent Sutton

Beginning Jan. 1, California employers will no longer be able to ask applicants about prior salary or criminal conviction history.

These changes are part of a national trend to limit the use of salary and conviction history in employment, which proponents argue tend to perpetuate discriminatory employment practices. Localities like San Francisco and Los Angeles enacted similar laws in recent years. Now, these restrictions will apply to employers statewide.

Employers should review their employment applications and remove any questions about prior salary or criminal history. Also, revise interview questions to avoid asking applicants improper questions. Background check procedures, whether internal or with third-party providers, should be updated to delay criminal history inquiries until after a conditional employment offer is extended.

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