EMPLOYERS INVITED TO ATTEND FAIR CHANCE HIRING WORKSHOP & EXPO
(CJAC) to host the Fair Chance Hiring Workshop & Expo. This event will provide employers with valuable information and resources including where to find candidates, which incentives are available and the legal implications to consider. They’ll also learn about local organizations that prepare justice-involved individuals for reentry to the workforce. CJAC works with several such partners including The Education and Employment Ministry (TEEM), the Start Helping Impacted Neighborhoods Everywhere program, ReMerge, Drug Court, and Diversion Hub. The Fair Chance Hiring Workshop & Expo is Wednesday, May 24, from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Champion Convention Center, 803 S Meridian Ave. Oklahoma City. Registration is $35 for Chamber members and $45 for nonmembers. Continental breakfast is included. Click here to register. If you’re interested in learning more about fair chance hiring, visit www.okcountycjac.com and download the Fair Chance Hiring Toolkit for Businesses.
One of the biggest challenges facing Oklahoma City businesses is a shortage of talent. We may be able to close the gap by utilizing an untapped labor market: people formerly involved in the justice system. Roughly one in three adult Americans is in that category. That’s 70 million people. Many of them are unemployed or making significantly less than workers without a criminal record. One of the greatest barriers to employment is the section on many job applications asking applicants if they have a criminal record. If the applicant says yes, they may automatically be rejected. They have no opportunity to give context for the record; how long ago the offense occurred, what they’ve done to rehabilitate themselves, or if the record is relevant to the position. Fair Chance hiring is about choosing candidates based on merits and skills. Then, once a job offer is made, having a respectful conversation about backgrounds. Give the candidate an opportunity to share their experience and their story. It could lead to a professional relationship that is mutually beneficial. Compared to the general workforce, justice-involved individuals have lower turnover rates, lower absenteeism, and higher retention rates. Many businesses are open to fair chance hiring practices but aren’t sure where to start. That is why we’ve partnered with the Criminal Justice Advisory Council
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