Fair Chance Act Campaign - CCHR

Human Rights

Combating Discrimination Since 1955


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Fair Chance Housing Act
Together NYC
Height and Weight Protections
Source of Income Discrimination
Disability Protections
Pay Transparency
Being Seen in NYC
Black Business Solidarity Initiative
Condemning Immigration Detention Conditions
COVID-19
Credit History Discrimination
Discriminatory Harassment
Discrimination Survey Report
Fair Chance Employment Act
Fair Housing NYC
Gender Identity and Expression
I Still Believe in Our City
I Am Muslim NYC
Jewish New Yorkers
LGBTQI Protections
May We Know Our Own Strength
Meals as Collective Memory
Protections for Domestic Violence Survivors
Salary History Discrimination
Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Testimonial Video Series
While Black in NYC
Women's Rights
You Have Rights NYC

Fair Chance Housing Act

Together NYC

Height and Weight Protections

Source of Income Discrimination

Disability Protections

Pay Transparency

Being Seen in NYC

Black Business Solidarity Initiative

Condemning Immigration Detention Conditions

COVID-19

Credit History Discrimination

Discriminatory Harassment

Discrimination Survey Report

Fair Chance Employment Act

Fair Housing NYC

Gender Identity and Expression

I Still Believe in Our City

I Am Muslim NYC

Jewish New Yorkers

LGBTQI Protections

May We Know Our Own Strength

Meals as Collective Memory

Protections for Domestic Violence Survivors

Salary History Discrimination

Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

Testimonial Video Series

While Black in NYC

Women's Rights

You Have Rights NYC


Fair Chance Act in Employment

Job applicants deserve to be judged first and foremost on their qualifications. The City Human Rights Law makes it illegal for most employers in New York City to ask about the criminal record of job applicants before making a job offer. This means job postings, applications, and interview questions cannot include inquiries into an applicant's criminal record.

Employers are also prohibited from rejecting job applicants, terminating or disciplining employees, or taking other adverse action based on the person's criminal history unless there is a direct relationship between the alleged or convicted crime and the job or employing the person poses an unreasonable risk to people or property. Employers are required to make that determination based on specific factors set forth in the law and must provide the applicant or employee with a copy of their written analysis, a copy of the criminal background check, and an opportunity to respond.

Download Fair Chance Employment Act Fact Sheets for:

If you have additional questions, call 311 or contact policy@cchr.nyc.gov. To report discrimination, fill out our online form or call us at (212) 416-0197.

This page applies to the Fair Chance Act in Employment only. For information on the Fair Chance Housing Law, visit this page.

Additional Resources

Fair Chance Employment Notice: The Commission has prepared this form (last updated June 23, 2021) for employers to use to comply with the above-noted requirement. The form may also be adapted to an employer's preferred format, as long as the material substance does not change.

Legal Enforcement Guidance: Download this guidance for employers to understand their obligations to comply with the NYC Human Rights Law and the Fair Chance Employment Act (last updated July 15, 2021)

Frequently Asked Questions

Request a Free Workshop: The Commission offers free workshops on employment discrimination and the Fair Chance Employment Act.

Fair Chance Employment Brochure

Fair Chance Employment Fact Sheet: Employers | Employees

NYC Legal Services Organizations That Help Workers With Criminal Histories

Ad Campaigns

Following the enactment of the Fair Chance Employment Act in October 2015, the Commission launched subway and newspaper ads to educate New Yorkers of their protections from discrimination based on criminal history (click on image for full size).

In July 2021, amendments to the City Human Rights Law went into effect that protect even more New Yorkers with criminal records from job discrimination. In conjunction with these amendments, the Commission renewed its public education effort on the Fair Chance Employment Act through the strategic use of paid social media advertising, Google search targeting, and Google display ads. The Commission also partnered with organizations like The Legal Aid Society, Neighborhood Defender Services of Harlem, the Bronx Defenders, and Legal Services NYC to distribute a new guide for workers on criminal history protections.

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