The City of Austin’s Fair Chance Hiring Ordinance, which took effect April 4, 2016, aims to reduce recidivism and unemployment and increase re-integration for qualified job applicants with criminal histories. The law places restrictions on certain private employers on when they can ask about a job applicant’s criminal history and how that information can be used.

The City’s Office of Civil Rights is responsible for educating employers and residents about the Fair Chance Hiring Ordinance, adopting rules to implement the ordinance, and receiving and investigating complaints alleging Fair Chance Hiring violations.

If your organization would like to schedule an onsite Fair Chance Hiring presentation/training or have an upcoming job or community fair that you’d like our office to attend, please contact us at 512-972-FAIR (3247) or fairchancehiring@austintexas.gov.

Information & Resources

eLearning course: Austin’s Fair Chance Hiring Ordinance

Watch the Fair Chance Hiring video

Click the image above to watch the eLearning course video.

 

View the 1 minute Fair Chance Hiring Ordinance video:

 

View the 2 minute PSA on Fair Chance Hiring: