What we reported

Austin’s fair chance hiring ordinance, which prohibits most private employers from asking about a job applicant’s criminal history before extending a job offer, went into effect April 4. Austin is the first city in the southern U.S. to adopt a fair chance hiring policy that applies to private employers. The ordinance only applies to businesses with 15 or more employees and does not apply to positions for which a prior local, state or federal law disqualifies candidates with a criminal history.

The latest

The Equal Employment/Fair Housing Office at the city of Austin is enforcing the law, the violation penalties for which take effect this year. The office said it does not possess any data on how many employers have fully implemented fair chance hiring practices.

What’s next

Beginning April 4, an employer who fails to correct a violation by the 10th business day after the employer receives a notice of violation from the city would face a fine of up to $500.   

This story is one update from The January Issue. View the full list of 10 things to look for here.