As employers face a talent shortage as they’ve never seen before, many are turning to second-chance hiring. There are a number of reasons you might consider this kind of hiring method. Second chance hiring gives the individual a fresh start and a chance to get back on their feet. For many people, it is also an opportunity to help them find their identity. By providing employees with a second chance, companies can create a more engaged, more productive workforce.
What is Second Chance Hiring?
To put it simply, second-chance hiring is the practice of hiring individuals with a criminal background to work with your company. Right now, there are around 70 million Americans with arrest records in need of employment.
Every year, around 600,000 people return to society after being incarcerated. Re-entering the workforce can be life-changing for these individuals. They often provide loyalty and motivation that more traditional candidates don’t. Oftentimes, they have trouble getting placed in a job though.
In most companies, a criminal background check is a huge part of the hiring process. However, providing candidates with a criminal background a second chance for employment with your company can be beneficial in a number of ways.
Benefits of Second Chance Hiring
Second chance hiring can be beneficial for your company and the community. When you hire someone with a criminal background, you are lessening the tax burden on the individuals in your area by keeping them from homelessness or government assistance. Overall, leaving them unemployed leads to millions of tax dollars lost every year. Here are a few other benefits of choosing to use a second chance recruiting strategy.
- They tend to be loyal employees. Because you are going out on a limb hiring them, second chance hires are typically more loyal. This means your turnover rates will improve and your recruiting costs will decrease.
- Second chance hires perform just as well, if not better, than other individuals on the team. Many employers find they are more motivated and engaged on the job than traditional hires.
- You show a commitment to helping undeserved communities. If you dedicate yourself to hiring felons, you are also dedicating yourself to serving the communities within that group. This will help greatly diversify your company, improve productivity, and more.
- There are some financial benefits to second-chance hiring too. The IRS provides employers with a tax credit if they hire a felon. The credit can be up to 25% of the person’s first-year salary.
For the second chance employees, there are several benefits as well. Getting a job and holding it down reduces the risk of becoming a repeat offender. You also aren’t as likely to need government assistance programs.
Connect With Recruiters to Find Second Chance New Hires
From the improved mental health of your staff to increased productivity and earnings, second-chance hiring can help create fiercely loyal employees. Working with a staffing agency like Top Notch Personnel can help connect you with candidates looking to get back to work. We love helping applicants get back on their feet and get connected with employers where they can make a difference. Contact us to learn more about how we can assist you.
