Governor Roy Cooper Signs Executive Order to Improve Fair Hiring Practices at North Carolina State Agencies
ncarol.com/10070513

Read the Executive Order.

Governor Roy Cooper signed Executive Order 158 to implement fair chance policies at state agencies to increase employment opportunities for people with criminal records. The Order is effective immediately and will be implemented by November 1, 2020.

North Carolina will join 35 states and more than 150 cities and counties, including more than 10 in North Carolina, in reducing employment barriers for people with criminal records. This Order affects the more than 1.7 million people in North Carolina who have a criminal record and may face barriers to employment because of that record.

"People who have made mistakes often deserve a second chance, and having a job helps turn lives around," said Governor Cooper. "Not only will this help reduce recidivism, it will give state government access to more qualified job applicants who now don't even get the chance to show what good employees they would be."

More on ncarol.com

• New from Regal House, The King's Ghost, Imhotep and his cousin Anitepsut caught in a web of deceit
• From Temecula Wine Country to Canyon Lake: Parkway Construction Transforms Outdoor Spaces for Inland Homeowners
• Goldshine Management Consulting Announces Multifamily Management Challenges and Opportunities Survey
• New Study Finds Advisor-Owned Websites Lead ChatGPT's Financial Advisor Recommendations
• Tryon Prepares for a Special Night of Music and Launch of Nina Simone and Samuel Waymon Scholarship

According to the National Employment Law Project, access to employment is vital for successful reentry to communities after imprisonment. Removing the criminal history question from the state's employment application and implementing fair chance hiring policies will allow those with a criminal history to be more fairly considered based on their qualifications.

Governor Cooper encourages all state, county, and municipal government agencies and private employers to implement this change as well.

Executive Order 158 will also:

• Remove criminal history questions from the application for state employment and prohibit inquiries into an individual's criminal history during the initial stages of the hiring process;
• Prohibit the consideration of expunged or pardoned convictions, charges unrelated to the underlying employment matter, arrests not resulting in a conviction, dismissed or ruled not guilty, unless the hiring is prohibited by law;
• Require that necessary background checks not be conducted before the initial job interview for the candidate;
• Require state agencies to provide a reasonable opportunity for applicants to explain the circumstances surrounding relevant conviction(s) and provide proof of rehabilitation, including a Certificate of Relief; and
• Require the North Carolina Department of Administration to conduct a study on the feasibility of implementing a fair chance hiring policy that would extend to businesses that contract with the state.

In addition to collecting data to monitor implementation, the Office of State Human Resources will provide training and ensure all state agencies remain compliant with this order.

More on ncarol.com

• Gigasoft 2026 JavaScript Chart Comparison: ProEssentials, Highcharts, SciChart, LightningChart, ECharts
• Experienced eXp Realty Agent Kerri Lawless Guides Buyers and Sellers Through Life's Next Chapters in St. Tammany Parish
• Supreme Garage Door Repair Redirects Marketing Dollars Into North Texas Communities
• RAS AP Consulting Spotlights Managed AP Governance™ at Esker All Access
• ANSI BSR Upholds Appeal of AFDE Member Andrew Sulner, MSFS, JD, finding the AAFS Academy Standards Board (ASB) Violated ANSI Essential Requirements

Read the full Executive Order and frequently asked questions about how it reduces employment barriers for qualified job applicants.

---

Show All News | Disclaimer | Report Violation