In the last two weeks, the Westchester County Board of Legislators has introduced two pieces of significant legislation that will help to level the playing field for thousands of underrepresented workers in Westchester County.
Often referred to as Wage Theft Legislation, the amending of the Westchester County law for licensing home contractors would regulate home improvement licensing to protect workers from under-payment and non-payment. The proposed changes in the law will establish a process for filing complaints, thereby creating new levels of protections for consumers. Additionally, contractors who wrongfully cheat their employees will now be forced to complete on a level playing field with others within the same industry.
The Fair Chance to Work Act, also known as “Ban The Box” would eliminate pre-emptive questions about an applicant’s past convictions at the start of the job application process by removing the question from all job applications in Westchester County. This would give prospective employees who may have a record of conviction, but who are otherwise qualified for a job, a chance to explain their circumstances without being immediately excluded from that opportunity.
“Everyone should have a chance to be considered for a job on the basis of his or her qualifications, and then paid a fair wage for the work provided,” said Legislator Christopher Johnson. “Similarly, no employee should be exploited nor disqualified from work because they checked a box on an application. Some of our most vulnerable populations – immigrants, poor people and people of color – have lost wages and opportunities because of employers who do not act honestly or with empathy. We know there is a disproportionate number of people of color who are punished by the criminal justice system. These two issues are not only economic justice issues, but social justice issues.”
