80M Americans, nearly one-third of all working-age adults, have an arrest record. This huge demographic must navigate the reality that 95% of companies today run background checks that systematically erect barriers that keep this talent pool under and unemployed. The unemployment rate of these individuals is 10x that of the national average, creating a national crisis at the crossroads of the current labor shortage and economic growth. Fair chance hiring (the practice of hiring talent with records) is not only an opportunity for this country to invest in the development of its workforce, but it’s also an opportunity to build a more robust economy to catalyze the future of work.
This panel will dive into the transformative potential of fair chance hiring practices and its role in reshaping more inclusive and innovative workplaces. Panelists will offer practical guidance on how business, community, and policy leaders can strengthen pathways for talent with records to find livable wage employment and economic mobility.
Furthermore, panelists will explore both the social impact and business case for fostering a workforce with a diverse set of lived experiences, including talent with records, and the ROI it can bring to an organization. As conservative activists take aim at diversity and inclusion initiatives in the private sector, we will discuss why we need to double down on commitments to creating a workforce that reflects the fabric of America.
