Under a deal reached with state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, two national retailers have agreed to stop asking job seekers about their criminal histories in New York state.
Schneiderman's office announced Wednesday that Big Lots and Marshalls agreed to the change after an investigation by his office determined they were violating a Buffalo law that prohibits employers from asking applicants about their criminal background on initial employment applications.
Schneiderman says job applications that ask about past crimes can prevent former offenders from finding a job, something that he says is often "crucial" to ensuring they don't re-offend.
As part of the settlement, Big Lots agreed to pay a monetary penalty of $95,000 and Marshalls agreed to pay $100,000.
Messages were left with both retailers seeking comment.
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