Ban the Box
A Minnesota law that prevents most employers from asking about criminal history on a job application.
“Ban the box” refers to a Minnesota law that stops most employers from putting a question about criminal history on their job applications. The “box” is the checkbox that used to ask, “Have you ever been convicted of a crime?” Minnesota removed that box so people with past records are not automatically screened out before they even get a chance to be considered.
This law does not mean employers can never ask about your criminal history. It means they have to wait. Employers can ask about criminal records later in the hiring process, typically after an interview or when making a conditional job offer. The goal is to let applicants be judged first on their skills and qualifications, not on their past.
The law applies to most private employers in Minnesota, as well as state and local government employers. There are some exceptions for jobs where a background check is required by law (such as certain positions working with children or vulnerable adults).
Why it matters: If you have a criminal record, ban the box gives you a fairer shot at getting hired. You get the chance to make a good impression before your record comes into play. Knowing this law exists means you can speak up if an employer asks about your criminal history too early in the process.
Example: Lisa applies for an office job in Duluth. The application form does not ask about criminal history. After a successful interview, the employer makes Lisa a conditional offer and then runs a background check. At that point, the employer can consider her record as part of the final hiring decision, but Lisa already had the chance to show she was qualified for the role.
When filling out a job application or going through the hiring process in Minnesota