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COVID-19 Has Caused Many Rideshare Suspensions Due to Delayed Background Checks

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In the midst of confusion and frustration in regards to job security, the coronavirus crisis has forced the closure of more than 800 courthouses across the country. These closures have impacted the lives of rideshare drivers, such as drivers for Lyft and Uber, and have prevented many from earning a living wage through ridesharing.

This is due to the fact that Lyft and Uber make use of routine background checks, both during the sign up process and periodically throughout employment. The closure of courthouses has prevented these background checks from occurring in a timely manner, causing Lyft and Uber to suspend their drivers with little to no warning until their background check is complete. While a few months of suspension from ridesharing may sound like nothing more than a minor inconvenience, it has proven to be a major source of fear and anxiety for those who rely on ridesharing as a prime source of income.

Lauren Casey of Gig Workers Rising, an advocacy group fighting for employment benefits for gig workers, said of companies such as Lyft and Uber, “For months these companies have made it difficult for drivers to access unemployment insurance, and now at a time when many are left with no choice but to get back on the road, this roadblock is another kick in the teeth for frontline workers.” 

What makes this development more frustrating is the fact that many of these workers are simply waiting for yearly renewals of their records, and do not have any past convictions at all, meaning that regardless of criminal record, every rideshare worker is struggling to earn a living wage and collect unemployment benefits. 

If you, or anyone you know, struggles with earning a living due to past convictions, contact the experts at Easy Expunctions. We’ll get you started with a free background check to determine your eligibility, explain your options, and get you on the way to a clean slate. 

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Criminal Records

Business Owner’s Criminal Record Barred Him From PPP Loans, So He Fought to Have the Rules Changed

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Today, we’re celebrating another win for business owners battling the stigma of past convictions as of June 2020. This win comes in the form of the SBA’s agreement to change the regulations surrounding the application for loans to no longer discriminate against those with past convictions. 

This change in law is due to the bravery and strength of Troy Parker, a Cincinnati, Ohio native with past convictions. Parker was released from jail in 2015, and immediately began the process of starting a new business aimed at helping those like him. Parker created Innovative Labor and Cleaning Service in an effort to employ those in lower-income communities who suffer from mental health issues, past convictions, or addictions, who are still capable of being a part of the workforce. 

In the few years that Parker has owned this business he has seen tremendous growth in the business itself and the amount of people it has positively affected. However, the COVID-19 pandemic’s arrival in March of 2020 took Parker (as well as the rest of the world) by surprise. As the financial and economic effects of the pandemic hit Parker, he began applying for PPP and EIDL loans offered for small businesses. Parker was met with rejection almost immediately per the SBA’s PPP rules which disqualified anyone convicted of a felony in the last five years from receiving financial help. 

Parker did not take this news lightly. He immediately began reaching out to other business owners with criminal records and became connected to Ohio Senator Rob Portman, who agreed to write a letter to President Trump’s staff and the SBA calling for an end to these regulations. As Parker’s case gained notoriety, his inquiry gained traction, and soon other bipartisan advocacy groups and politicians began voicing their opposition to the SBA’s discrimination against small business owners with criminal records. 

Fortunately, this pushback became successful, and a week before the June 30th PPP deadline, the SBA finally agreed to amend the rules. They abolished the disqualification of loan eligibility for those on parole and probation. While there are still a number of roadblocks and hoops to successfully obtaining a loan, this is a large step towards allowing people with past convictions to enter the workforce without the stigma of their past actions. 

Parker’s endurance and perseverance in the face of the challenges he experienced due to his past convictions has allowed many other small business owners with past convictions to live out their aspirations. Parker has been included in the list of 137 inspirational entrepreneurs in Entrepreneur’s July/August cover for his work. 

If you suffer from obstacles due to a past conviction, give Easy Expunctions a call or visit our website to see how you can get your life back on track.

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Covid 19

COVID-19 Layoffs Disproportionately Affect Minorities

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Across the country, millions of Americans have lost their jobs because of the effect of COVID-19 on the economy. Small businesses are closing down altogether, food and service industry workers were on hold, retail and other non-essential employees were out of their jobs altogether or were furloughed without pay. The one-time stimulus was a small help, but it doesn’t stretch far enough. And many who were laid off don’t qualify for unemployment, rendering them without any source of income.

In total, more than 20 million jobs have been lost so far, and the unemployment rate is almost 15%. Among those suffering, certain demographics were hit much harder than others—namely women, African Americans, and Latinos. A report from the Department of Labor stated that while the unemployment rate for white people in April was 14.2%, for Latinos it was 18.9% and for African Americans it was 16.7%.

In a country where racism is engrained in the criminal justice system, it’s no surprise that those who have the least influence are the hardest hit. This is just a sad reminder that there are racial gaps in every corner of our country. These statistics aren’t just devastating on an individual level—they’re crippling low-income communities in which many families don’t have the savings to carry them safely through a threat of this magnitude.

If you’ve lost your job as a result of the Coronavirus, you’re likely having a hard time finding a new job. If you have a blemish on your criminal record, that’ll only make it harder. Get in touch with the friendly faces at Easy Expunctions to see if we can help get you a clean background check that’ll make you stand out on your next employee application.

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Covid 19

FYI: Small Business Owners With Criminal Records May Not Qualify for Coronavirus Loans

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Just when you thought your past was behind you, it finds a way to sneak up on you during this worldwide pandemic crisis. People are losing their jobs, companies are running out of money, and local mom and pop shops are closing around the world. And now, the United States government has found a new way to discriminate against those with criminal records: Small business owners who have criminal records will not qualify for emergency coronavirus loans, something many business owners are counting on during these hard times.

New regulations for accessing emergency funds, issued by the Small Business Administration, directly prohibit small-business owners who have criminal records from accessing these extremely crucial loans. Punishing those employed by someone with a criminal record just isn’t right, as the emergency loan money is meant to help compensate for lost wages among other things that directly affect employees. Moreover, why is someone who is actively contributing to the economy with their own business not worthy of a loan because of a prior brush with the criminal justice system?

Keep in mind that many people actually start their own businesses because a prior conviction prevents them from being hired elsewhere. Now their employees are being punished for a mistake they may or may not have made. This is a blatant measure to keep the emergency fund money away from those with criminal convictions as if they are second class citizens. These people are creating jobs for others and helping the economy flourish; why should they be treated differently during the pandemic?

If you’re tired of running into roadblocks because of your criminal record, Easy Expunctions may be able to help you! Our affordable record clearing packages can get you closer to the success you want to obtain professionally. Our experts work directly with you in assessing qualifying charges available for expunctions and sealings. Don’t let an old mistake cost you any more business—Easy Expunctions is here to help.

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