NC Agencies Implement 'Fair Chance' Employment Policies

North Carolina agencies within Gov. Roy Cooper’s administration are changing hiring practices to help give people with criminal histories more job opportunities. Cooper issued an executive order this week that directs state agencies and offices under his control to implement “fair chance” policies by Nov. 1. The order tells the agencies to omit criminal records questions from employment applications. Background checks must wait until later, and applicants will be given the opportunity to explain that history. Criminal pardons and expunctions can’t be considered in hiring, either. Cooper’s office says more than 1.7 million North Carolina residents have criminal records.