WHO WE ARE
Justice for Work is a coalition of organizations spanning the political spectrum which seeks to respond to proposals for mandatory, government-run background checks and fingerprint collection in private industry hiring practices. Comprised primarily of technological associations and issue advocacy groups, individuals within our coalition range from former law enforcement officials to policy experts who advocate for ex-offenders and policies that facilitate their reintegration into society. Whether our coalition members represent the political left or the right, we have established consensus around the idea that members of society who have served their time for past wrongdoings should be allowed to resume their lives and seek gainful employment. We believe that overly broad and burdensome government mandates on a firm’s ability to hire previous offenders unnecessarily impedes the latter’s ability to rehabilitate.

WHY IT MATTERS
Burdensome biometric mandates can be disastrous for the livelihood of tens of thousands of citizens. As the ridesharing economy continues to boom, states and localities are seeking to assure residents of their own safety by mandating unnecessary layers to the vetting processes these firms already use. Nearly 10,000 ridesharing drivers lost gainful employment in Austin, Texas because of heavy-handed forensic background requirements. Fingerprinting and other invasive biometric collections have shown questionable efficacy and background checks that do not require these methods can be just as accurate and reliable. We hold that private firms are more suited to determine what kinds of risks they ought to accrue in their hiring practices. The privacy and quality of life of a substantial number of people should not be violated on account of faulty testing regulations. 

WHAT YOU CAN DO
Many of these requirements emerge at the level where citizens should have the most influence, the local and state levels. In order to improve the lives of fellow citizens and reduce the likelihood that your neighbors will reoffend, pressure your local and state representatives to allow them to resume their life and participate in commerce and social exchange. Council members and state congressional members need to hear your voice. You can also follow the work of the Justice for Work Coalition and share with your family and peers.