RESOLUTION NO. RS2012-200

A resolution requesting the Civil Service Commission to include an equal opportunity interviewing policy as part of the Civil Service Rules.

WHEREAS, Sections 12.06 and 12.07 of the Metropolitan Charter grant the exclusive authority to the Metropolitan Civil Service Commission to adopt rules governing the method of hiring employees within the classified service of the Metropolitan Government; and

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Government should be a leader in promoting the successful reintegration of formerly incarcerated persons back into the community by removing barriers to gainful employment after their release from prison; and

WHEREAS, an Equal Opportunity Interview policy, commonly referred to as “Ban the Box”, is designed to avoid hiring policies that discourage applicants with conviction histories from applying for government jobs so that the best qualified applicants are given the opportunity to interview; and

WHEREAS, a number of major cities in the United States have adopted Ban the Box policies that prohibit the government from asking about an applicant’s criminal history on the initial job application form, thus deferring background checks until the later stages of the hiring process; and

WEHREAS, implementing such a policy in Nashville would enhance the health and security of the community by assisting people with conviction histories to reintegrate into the community and provide for their families and themselves, and would ensure that the Metropolitan Government implements fair practices when screening and identifying persons eligible for employment, regardless of whether they have had past convictions or arrests.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as requesting the Metropolitan Civil Service Commission to include an equal opportunity interviewing policy, similar to the policy attached hereto as Exhibit A, as part of the Civil Service Rules.

Section 2. The Civil Service Commission is further requested to respond in writing to the Metropolitan Council within sixty (60) days from the date this Resolution is adopted as to the actions taken in response to the request stated in Section 1 hereof.

Section 3. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Resolution to each member of the Civil Service Commission and to Rita Roberts-Turner, the director of the Department of Human Resources.

Section 4. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Erica Gilmore, Darren Jernigan, Peter Westerholm, Fabian Bedne, Jerry Maynard, Megan Barry, Lonnell Matthews, Ronnie Steine, Anthony Davis, Edith Taylor Langster, Bruce Stanley, Jason Holleman, Jacobia Dowell, Jason Potts, Karen Johnson, Sean McGuire, Frank Harrison, Walter Hunt, Scott Davis

View Exhibit(s)