Are fingerprint background checks a form of discrimination?

against fingerprint background checks for drivers. The Austin City Council had recommended fingerprint background checks for Uber and Lyft drivers, but two local groups are not on board. Teddy McDaniel of the Austin Urban League and Nelson Linder of the Austin chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People wrote a letter to the Council arguing that fingerprint background checks disproportionately discriminate against minority and low-income individuals. “The practice of using fingerprints to access a background database is not a real safety measure as it all-too-often captures only an individual’s arrest, not their conviction,” reads the letter. “As a result, this practice would disproportionately harm Austin’s African-American and Hispanic populations as they are already disproportionately arrested, but not necessarily charged or convicted of any offense.” The two groups argue that because fingerprints are taken soon after an arrest — and are not frequently or regularly updated in federal databases to reflect whether or not an individual was charged or convicted — that a person can be listed as having an arrest record and be disqualified for a job driving for Uber or Lyft, even if that person does not have a criminal conviction. While Austin does have a record of more arrests for low-income and minority individuals, council members suggest there is no indication that drivers would be disqualified from jobs driving for ride-share services due to an arrest with no conviction. Both Austin and Travis County, the county in which Austin resides, have fair-hiring policies to help “ban the box.”]]>

You May Also Like

Check out these additional posts from Mind Your Business.

What are Continuous Background Checks?

Continuous background checks are a departure from traditional screening practices and are a paradigm shift in how companies vet their employees. Unlike the conventional one-and-done approach, continuous background checks involve regular, ongoing assessments of an individual’s criminal history and qualifications. Continuous background checks can be used at varying frequencies, ranging from daily to weekly or…
Read More

The Top Five Reasons to Run a Background Check

Running a background check is more than just a precaution; it’s a crucial step toward ensuring transparency, accountability, and peace of mind. Let’s explore why running various types of background checks is essential in various aspects of life.  Hiring the Right Candidates In the hiring process, running a background check is a cornerstone of pre-employment…
Read More

Timing is Everything: When to Run a Background Check

Mind Your Business is a leading provider of pre-employment background screening, equal employment opportunity support services, drug screening services, and other support services for both the private and federal sectors. MYB is a certified woman-owned small business. Running a background check has become a crucial step in various aspects of life. Whether you’re hiring potential…
Read More

Quality and Precise Results, On Time!

Let us know about your screening needs to get a custom quote. We work with businesses big and small as well as the government. Which means we have a package of solutions for your organization as well.