The City of Jackson is following the state's lead when it comes to criminal history on job applications.
Friday, Jackson's City Manager, Patrick Burtch, issued an order removing criminal history on application's for city employment.
He says a person's criminal background will be considered later in the hiring process, including the nature and gravity of the crime for which the applicant was convicted, as well as length of time since the conviction and completion of the sentence.
Gov. Rick Snyder issued a similar mandate for state job applications earlier this month.
The purpose of lifting that requirement is to increase the pool of qualified applicants for a position.
City Councilwoman Colleen Sullivan welcomes this change. She says the application requirement may constitute a barrier to employment, especially in a city with a high poverty rate. "I welcome the City Manager's move to revise his hiring practices to be more inclusive," Sullivan said.
