Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, Protects Salary and Criminal History
As of June 1, 2024, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, will have new protections for job applicants, which apply to employers of all sizes.
With respect to inquiring about criminal history, employers will be prohibited from:
- Asking about criminal convictions on an employment application
- Requiring disclosure of criminal convictions before completion of an initial interview
- Considering conviction records that don’t relate to an applicant’s suitability for the job
Employers will also be prohibited from asking an applicant about their salary at any current or previous job.
Employers can use background checks and prior criminal history after a first interview to determine whether an applicant is eligible for employment. The county ordinance also mirrors state law in its requirement that employers provide written notice to an applicant if they deny a job based on the applicant’s criminal history.
For the cities of Allentown and Bethlehem, this ordinance will not take effect until at least May 2025, if they don’t opt out of coverage entirely.
