Fair Chance Employment
Known by various terms, Fair Chance Employment seeks to give individuals an employment opportunity. Fair Chance Employment breaks the stigma of an employee's past, including criminal history, substance abuse disorder, or other backgrounds typically shunned in the workplace. Read below for more information about Fair Chance Employment, Second Chance Employment, and other initiatives to give everyone a fair chance at meaningful employment.
“Approximately 70-100 million men and women in the U.S. have a criminal record – which means that nearly one in three individuals will struggle to obtain meaningful employment. Businesses have the power to turn this around. More and more businesses are considering the idea of second chance employment – hiring individuals with a criminal record. Employers benefit by having a highly motivated and eager talent pool of individuals hungry for a second chance and willing to do what it takes to get the job done.
"Second chance employment is beneficial to employers... Employers also gain enthusiastic, motivated, and persistent candidates that are begging to be tapped. Communities also benefit through the creation of a more inclusive workforce and a true second chance for the tens of millions of men and women with a criminal record.”
Read the article Rebuilding Together from the March 29 issue to learn more about the benefits of becoming a second chance employer.
Testimonials
Resources for Fair Chance Employers
"Under a new Ohio law, employers can hire, promote, and retain qualified applicants with criminal records without fearing legal barriers and liabilities. Job seekers who receive a Certificate of Qualification for Employment (“CQE”) have proven to a court that they are rehabilitated. The court has removed certain legal limitations on the CQE-holder’s employment and professional licensing. Personnel decisions often include background checks – and CQEs ensure that employers are not held back from hiring qualified people to fill their staffing needs. "
"The U.S. Department of Labor established The Federal Bonding Program in 1966 to provide Fidelity Bonds for “at-risk,” hard-to-place job seekers. The bonds cover the first six months of employment at no cost to the job applicant or the employer."
"NIDA is the lead federal agency supporting scientific research on drug use and its consequences."
"Ohio's employers are asking what they should do about the opioid problem in their own workplaces. The Ohio Chamber of Commerce convened a task force to explore the options. One recommendation coming out of the task force was for employers to be armed with a toolkit of resources to be better prepared to prevent and respond to the problem. With the help and expertise of a member company, Working Partners®, and financial support from member company, Anthem, we have developed the Opioid Toolkit containing several resources free of charge to any company that is doing business in Ohio."
"Take the Pledge to End Stigma
"Negative attitudes and beliefs toward people living with a mental health or in recovery from a substance use disorder are common and harmful. Help us work to put an end to stigma and normalize talking about our mental health needs."
"Sharing Solutions was created by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to provide employer resources and showcase innovative solutions to the opioid crisis. We work to identify resource needs and then aggregate, synthesize, and feature resources in an accessible way for the people who need them most. We believe that business is part of the solution. Businesses are a vehicle to help solve this crisis. Together, we can make a difference and save lives."
"The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is a Federal tax credit available to employers for hiring individuals from certain targeted groups who have consistently faced significant barriers to employment."