Legislation would protect current employees from criminal past

(Harrisburg) — Criminal justice and employment were among the issues examined by a state Senate committee last week. 

Under current law, if an employer discovers a years-old arrest or conviction not related the current job,  a worker can still be fired.

Janet Ginzberg of Community Legal Services says the Crimes Code does not offer protection for current employees.

“Pennsylvania courts have read the statute very literally and have not been willing to extend it to current employees because the statutory language doesn’t include employees.  It only says applicants,” she said.

Ginzburg says her organization supports legislation before the Senate that amends the Crimes Code to protect current employees if a past criminal record is discovered that has no bearing on the job they are now performing.