Sweden: Proposal Would Curtail Criminal Record Checks in Hiring

Sweden’s Employment Ministry has proposed curtailing employers’ ability to require jobseekers to reveal their criminal records as part of the recruitment process. In a March 1 statement, the ministry said that a proposed law would “improve the ability of those convicted of a crime to reintegrate into society.” An assessment will now be carried out, the ministry said, that will define the specific circumstances under which a jobseeker can be required to produce a criminal record certificate.

Although individuals are permitted to access their own criminal records, the current rules do not generally allow employers direct access to the nation’s criminal record ...