Final answer:
In an interview, it is generally considered discriminatory to ask an applicant about their arrest record as it may perpetuate bias. Employers should focus on job-related questions and ask about convictions rather than arrests.
Step-by-step explanation:
In an interview, an owner can ask an applicant if he or she has ever been arrested for a crime. However, it is important to note that in the United States, asking about arrest records alone is generally considered discriminatory. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission recommends against employers asking questions about personal characteristics that could lead to discrimination.
Employers should focus on relevant job-related questions rather than asking about an applicant's arrest history as it may perpetuate bias and unfairly disadvantage some individuals.
If an employer wants to know if an applicant has any criminal convictions, they should ask about convictions and not just arrests.