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  1. Surveys
  2. 2014
  3. August
  4. H
  5. Hiring Attitudes Questionnaire
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Exit Survey
 
 
The purpose of this survey is to learn about the views business professionals such as you have toward hiring people with prior criminal convictions or who are currently under community supervision (i.e. probation or parole) with the Department of Probation Parole and Pardon Services (DPPPS). We would like to remind you that your participation in this survey is completely voluntary, and you may choose to skip any question that may make you uncomfortable. Please, remember that we are not collecting your name or the name of your business and that your answers are submitted anonymously. Neither the researchers at the University of South Carolina nor the employees at the online survey company, QuestionPro, will know your responses. Thank you for your time and participation!
 
 
Section I
The questions in this section address your business’ basic information. Please, respond to the following questions as completely and accurately as possible.


How would you best describe your type of business?
 
Manufacturing
 
Retail
 
Hospitality/Service
 
Shipping or Receiving
 
Other (please, specify):
 
 
 
 
Part-time employees:
   
 
 
Full-time employees:
   
 
 
 
In what year was your business founded?
   
 
 
 
Is your business publicly or privately owned?
 
Publicly
 
Privately
 
 
 
Is your business a franchise business?
 
Yes
 
No
 
 
If so, are there franchises in operation outside of South Carolina?
 
Yes
 
No
 
 
 
Is your business headquartered within the state of South Carolina?
 
Yes
 
No
 
 
If not, in what state is your business headquartered?
   
 
 
 
Is your business currently hiring new employees?
 
Yes
 
No
 
 
 
When was the last time your business hired a new employee? If It was less than one year, please put the number of months.
   
 
 
Section II
The questions in this section address your business’ current hiring practices. Please, respond to the following questions as completely and accurately as possible.


What level of education is required for an entry-level position at your business? Please, indicate all that apply.
 
GED
 
Specialty Certification
 
High School Diploma
 
Bachelor's Degree
 
Associate's Degree
 
Advanced Degree

 
 
Does your business currently
Yes No Don't Know
a. investigate a person's credit history prior to hiring?
b. use any type of personality test as part of the application process?
c. require employees to have previous work experience in the field?
d. follow up with references placed on an application?
e. require a drug test before hiring a person?
f. conduct a background check on a person prior to hiring?
g. ask about prior arrests on the application?
h. not employ someone based on arrest history?
i. ask only about prior convictions on the application?
j. not employ someone based on prior convictions?
k. employ any person with a prior crime conviction?
l. employ any person who is currently under probation or parole supervision?
m. participate in a work-release program for people in prison or jail?
 
 
 
Does your business have any positions that have a license requirement that prohibits someone with a felony criminal conviction from obtaining that license?
 
Yes
 
No
 
Don't Know
 
 
If yes, how many employee positions require this type of license?
   
 
 
How likely are you to hire a person who meets all other standards of employment, including education and experience requirements, but has been convicted of a(n)
Not at all likely Not very likely Somewhat likely Very likely
a. drug offense?
b. property offense?
c. violent offense?
d. sex offense?
e. misdemeanor?
f. felony?
 
 
How likely are you to hire a person who meets all other standards of employment, including education and experience requirements, who was convicted of an offense
Not at all likely Not very likely Somewhat likely Very likely
a. as a juvenile?
b. within the last two years?
c. three to five years ago?
d. six to ten years ago?
e. over ten years ago?
 
 
How likely do you think someone who has been convicted of each of the following offenses is to re-offend?
Not at all likely Not very likely Someone likely Very likely
a. drug offense
b. property offense
c. violent offense
d. sex offense
e. misdemeanor
f. felony
 
 
 
When considering an applicant, which factor is most important? (Please, rank the following from 1 to 5, with 1 being the most important factor and 5 being the least important factor.)
Education
References
Work experience
The interview
Criminal history
 
 
Section III
States and the federal government have started programs to encourage employers to hire people with prior criminal convictions and people who are currently on probation or parole (i.e. community supervision). The questions in this section address these incentives. Please, respond to the following as completely and accurately as possible.


The South Carolina Department of Corrections offers inmates the Self-Paced In-Class Education (SPICE) Program. SPICE is an 18-week program that provides vocational, life-skills, and career-readiness training, as well as an opportunity for spiritual growth or community volunteerism. Inmates in the program are trained 60 to 80 hours a week. Were you previously aware of the SPICE Program?
 
Yes
 
No
 
 
 
How likely are you to hire a person with a prior criminal conviction or a person currently under community supervision who has completed the SPICE Program?
 
Not at all likely
 
Not very likely
 
Somewhat likely
 
Very likely
 
 
 
WorkKeys is a standardized job-skills assessment system used in the U.S. How likely are you to hire a person with a prior criminal conviction or a person who is currently under community supervision who has completed a WorkKeys certification?
 
Not at all likely
 
Not very likely
 
Somewhat likely
 
Very likely
 
 
 
Has a member of the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services (DPPPS) contacted you about hiring people who are currently under community supervision?
 
Yes
 
No
 
 
If yes, are you currently working with DPPPS to employ people who are under their supervision?
 
Yes
 
No
 
 
 
People who are currently under DPPPS supervision are often required to meet with their probation and parole officers. How comfortable would you be with having an employee meet with his or her probation or parole officer offsite during work hours?
 
Not at all comfortable
 
Not very comfortable
 
Somewhat comfortable
 
Very comfortable
 
 
 
How comfortable would you be with having a probation or parole officer visit your employee at work?
 
Not at all comfortable
 
Not very comfortable
 
Somewhat comfortable
 
Very comfortable
 
 
 
The U.S. Department of Labor currently sponsors the Federal Bonding Program, which is a program that provides a $5,000 insurance policy to protect employers in the event that there is money or property loss due to employee dishonesty. Were you previously aware of this government incentive that can insure your business against the potential risks incurred from hiring a person with a prior criminal conviction or a person who is currently under community supervision?
 
Yes
 
No
 
 
 
How likely is your business to use the Federal Bonding Program in hiring a person with a prior criminal conviction or a person who is currently under community supervision?
 
Not at all likely
 
Not very likely
 
Somewhat likely
 
Very likely
 
 
 
The U.S. Department of Labor currently sponsors the Work Opportunity Tax Credit Program, which is a tax credit program worth up to a $2,400 credit for businesses that hire convicted felons during a work-release program or within one year of conviction or release from prison. Were you previously aware of this government incentive for hiring a person with a prior criminal conviction or a person who is currently under community supervision?
 
Yes
 
No
 
 
 
How likely is your business to use the Work Opportunity Tax Credit Program in hiring a person with a prior criminal conviction or a person who is currently under community supervision?
 
Not at all likely
 
Not very likely
 
Somewhat likely
 
Very likely
 
 
 
Which of the following would your business be most likely to use in the decision to hire a person with a prior criminal conviction or a person who is currently under community supervision? (Please, rank the following from 1 to 4, with 1 being the most likely and 4 being the least likely.)
Work Opportunity Tax Credit
SPICE Program completion
Federal Bonding Program
WorkKeys certification
 
 
 
What is your current position?
   
 
 
 
How many years have you worked in your current position?
   
 
 
 
How many years have you worked for your current employer?
   
 
 
 
What is your current age?
   
 
 
 
What is your sex?
 
Male
 
Female
 
 
 
What race/ethnicity best describes you?
 
White
 
Black
 
Asian
 
Native American
 
Hispanic
 
Other:
 
 
 
 
What is your highest level of education?
 
GED
 
Specialty Certification
 
High School Diploma
 
Bachelor's Degree
 
Associate's Degree
 
Advanced Degree