This NZ law aims to give people with criminal convictions a ‘clean slate’. It’s not working

If you own a business, would you be willing to hire a person who has been convicted for a crime?Give them a chance when a background check shows they have a criminal record?The answers matter for both individuals and communities.For people who have paid their debt to society, rejoining it can hinge on getting a second chance without being judged on their past.It is not something they can really hide.Employers often conduct criminal background checks as part of the hiring process.People with criminal records face high levels of stigmatisation, making it harder to reenter their communities and make money legally.The thorny question of what to do with people with convictions when it comes to employment has been considered by policymakers and justice campaigners around the world.In the United States, more than 27 states have introduced "Ban the Box" legislation.While each law is unique, by and large they have eliminated the requirement to provide criminal background information in job applications.