New research shows employers could be missing out by avoiding felons in hiring
Jordan Yadoo
For millions of U.S. job applicants with a criminal record, just making it past the screening stage of the hiring process is a challenge. New research shows that could be the employer's loss.
Using the U.S. military — the nation's largest employer — as a test case to evaluate the work performance of felons upon re-entering the job market, researchers from Harvard University and the University of Massachusetts Amherst found they were no more likely than other enlistees to be discharged for the negative reasons employers often assume, such as misconduct or poor performance. What's more, they were actually promoted at a slightly higher rate and to higher ranks than those with clean criminal records.
One explanation as to why relates to the additional review process felons undergo to secure a criminal military waiver. The holistic screening takes into account the nature of the crime and time since conviction, along with any compensating skills and experience, and could result in the selection of above average recruits. The other possibility is that, having received a second chance of sorts, felons are more committed to their work and getting promoted given the scarcity of employment opportunities elsewhere.
"We see these results as very promising in terms of thinking about how, given appropriate screening, those with felony-level criminal records seem to make very promising employees," said Devah Pager, a Harvard sociologist who co-authored the study with Jennifer Lundquist and Eiko Strader from UMass Amherst. "Employers may be missing out on a huge amount of talent by screening out all those with felony-level records."
The study is one of the first to assess the actual performance of felons in the workplace, according to the authors. Previous research has focused on the employment barriers themselves that result from a criminal record. A 2003 study by Pager, for example, showed that ex-offenders are roughly half as likely to receive a callback relative to equally qualified applicants with no criminal record, and that black candidates suffer disproportionately. The study found that whites with criminal records received more interview callbacks than blacks without past arrests.
The new research, which used the Freedom of Information Act to collect administrative data on 1.3 million ex-offender and non-offender soldiers who enlisted between 2002 and 2009, lends support to the so-called "Ban the Box" campaign spreading around the country that aims to persuade employers to remove the check box on hiring applications that asks candidates whether they have been convicted of a crime. Supporters of the campaign say the box unnecessarily narrows the pool of qualified applicants.
Some 23 states, over 100 cities and some of the largest U.S. private employers including Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Target Corp., and Koch Industries Inc. have already taken steps to remove barriers in the hiring of those with a criminal record. The federal government last week proposed a rule that would prohibit federal agencies from asking about a job applicant's criminal history until after making a conditional employment offer.
The "Ban the Box" campaign "isn't saying that employers shouldn't do criminal background checks," Pager said. "It's just saying to first focus on skills and qualifications that are relevant to the job."
If adopted nationwide, such measures could help lift employment barriers for millions of ex-offenders. Today, the U.S. incarcerated population is about four-and-a-half times larger than in 1980, with more than 2.2 million people held in federal and state prisons and county jails in 2014, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics.
Even after adjusting for population growth, the incarceration rate grew by more than 220 percent from 1980 to 2014, according to a White House Council of Economic Advisers report issued last week. More than 600,000 individuals are released from prison each year.
Given the increase of job seekers with criminal pasts, Pager sees legitimate consequences for the broader labor market if otherwise qualified candidates are weeded out.
"We know that finding a quality, steady job following release from prison is one of the strongest predictors of desistance from crime," she said. "For that reason alone, reintegrating ex-offenders and supporting employment as a key part of that process is in everyone's interest."
I often hear of people using Indeed to look for jobs. In fact, Indeed says that it gets 140 million unique visitors to its website every month. Out of that number, I wonder how many real job leads are found there and out of that number, how many people actually get jobs. When you click on the "apply" links on the Indeed website, what happens? When you click the "apply" link you are asked for your personal information but I'm not really sure if the application actually reaches the employer.
My experience is that when you sign up with Indeed your email address is sold and you will get tons of emails from career schools, how to make money at home schemes and other things that have nothing to do with getting jobs. I never encourage the ex-offenders and felons I work with to use Indeed. A lot of the job listings are stale and the jobs are no longer there. I have also seen instances where the job didn't even exist. For instance, I saw one job listed that I always see in my area here in southern New Jersey. I mean that I see the same job listed all the time. It was for a job at a nationwide retailer. It was one of the companies on my list of companies that hire ex-offenders and felons. So, I went to the store to talk to the manager, who I have known for years to see if the job was actually open. The manger told me that he had no openings and that Indeed has had that job posted for months.
I Never Use Indeed To Help Felons Get Jobs
Can Indeed be valuable in any way? I teach my students that if they must use Indeed, never sign up for their website so they don't get bombarded with a bunch of spam emails. Secondly search for jobs their area but don't click the links on the Indeed website. Instead of clicking the link, look up the company on your own. For example, if Indeed lists a job at XYZ company, don't click the link on Indeed, go directly to the XYZ website. Once you get there look for the link to the company's own employment section. It often is at the very bottom in small print and it may say "Employment" or "Careers." Click on the link. You will be surprised at what you will find. You will find all of the actual open positions along with the job descriptions, requirement and how to apply. If the company is nation-wide the job listings will be listed by geographical location. You will often find more jobs than are listed on Indeed.
You will find that this will result in more and better job leads.
Best of luck in your job search. Please feel free to comment on this article.
Lady Felon has Made Mistakes but Trying to move Forward
Dear Mr. Mayo,
This letter is finding it's way to you today because thru out this
journey I've been venturing alone I fortunately asked Google the right
question, browsed the Internet tapping in the direction to find you, or
possibly just a higher power. Whatever it was that has lead me to this
path I'm taking my opportunity to finally find someone who can guide me
in the direction I needed to be in months possibly years ago.
My name is
Kandy, I am as of 01/06/2015 convicted felon ×7, I by the grace
of God was fortunate enough to be blessed to keep my nursing license.
Yes, I am a licensed practical nurse 10 years, 11 years 03/09/2016. & was a nursing assistant 12 years before that. My license is under suspension at least until March 15, 2017.
But thru all the court proceedings, separation from my husband of 18
years, 2 kids then 12y/o & 4y/o, losing our home, cars, dignity,
job, income, I mean literally losing everything besides the ability to
breathe.
So I have only worked about 3 months in the past 2 years. I'm
desperate to learn all I can to just make some kind of progress towards
employment. Still legally married, my husband in his trade 15 years
making $38.74 hourly, now about to take his journey man's test making
about $45-$50 an hour and have to beg for $20 fir gas to get his
children across town to school. I could go on and on. What is most
important is I'm hard working, dedicated, always give 110% even in
chaotic/stressful/basic events. I believe strongly in working as a team,
doing whatever it takes to get the job done, I'm humble and learn
quickly, if I don't know something I'll bust my tail to figure it out,
compassionate, silly, friendly, outgoing, energetic, intelligent,
professional. 100% adult /woman enough to admit that I admit only
naming my hood qualities but know that I have many bad as does the rest
of the human race, but I conduct myself in a respectful professional
manner. I know there's a time and an place for everything and can admit
when I'm wrong, as well as right my wrongs proudly. Lastly I'm
genuinely a good person that made mistakes, who's life got the best of
for a minute, but I am sober 4 years & 79 days since 11/01/11.
I will help any and everyone I can always have everyday of my life.
Before this letter I had been do ashamed and humiliated that I fell off
from heart ache, too proud to ask for help, & wanted to fix my life
quickly & quietly before it all came out. However, I'm broke and
struggling while bringing my children to suffer with me.
So my story
doesn't end here, this is one step towards my success story no matter
the outcome. Your an amazing man to do any of this, from my travels
down this path I now have a desire and passion to do what you are doing, to
help change things to where a mistake doesn't mean a life sentence no
matter what your actual sentence was. To help show that of you give
incentives, rewards, & just give a chance not taking an Ex-Offenders
rights/privileges & commodities away even after their debt is paid,
sentence maxed out, or they do any and every thing they are offered to
rehabilitate themselves. Maybe one day they will see its the
struggle, the difficulty, the failure time & time again, constant
disappointment, the prejudicial preconceived notions of who or what a
person is only because they got caught while everyone commits some kind
of crime breaking the law as we are not perfect it's enviable doesn't
give the right to judge, revoke all amenities and then wonder why
there's drug epidemics, and why people re-offend causing revolving
doors. I hope to hear from you soon, to listen, learn, and complete any
info u throw my way. I thank you so much for your time, be safe &
have a great day.
Sincerely,
Kandy
Lady Felon has Made Mistakes but Trying to move Forward
Hello Kandy,
I'm sorry you are having so much trouble. I hear time and time again that society should be more forgiving in its treatment of ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs. While this may be true, most of the people I meet consciously committed the crimes they were convicted of and they know of the penalties that come along with getting caught. That is the risk they take when they choose to play the game. The rules are clear, if you get caught, you will probably get some time, you will be an outcast of society and it will be difficult to get a job. Everyone know this, so I have to remind them that they are not victims. They must accept the fact that they screwed up their lives so they are responsible to for fixing it. Will it be hard? Yes! Will they need help? Yes, all they can get.
My first suggestion is for you to contact the nearest United Way Office. The United way supports a number of social service agencies that may be able to help your family. There may also be services that aid ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs and organizations that advocate for them.
Next, you will have to build a job search plan. First decide what type of work you are qualified to do. You will then need a resume. If you do not have one, You may be able to get help at your nearest One-stop Career Center.
Daily access to thousands of job listings
Each state has a network of centers that offer a variety of free
services that can help prepare you for a job and assist you in finding employment. In addition, these centers offer aid for career training. You may be able to get training for a career that may not be impacted by your record.
Some services available are:
Career planning and counseling
Workshops (Resume Writing, Interviewing Skills, and related topics.)
Computers with internet access and word processing
Job-related magazines and local newspapers
Job postings and referrals
Printers, fax machines, phones, and copiers for job search use
You will be able to find the One-stop Career Center near you by clicking the link below:
Stay strong and take advantage of the resources available to you. It won't be easy but a little hard work and guidance can help you overcome what has been a difficult situation.
I hope this helps.
Jobs for Ex-offenders and Felons: Ten Steps to getting a Job with a Criminal record
Jobs for Felons: Felons can get jobs using the Federal Bonding Program
Lady Felon has Made Mistakes but Trying to move Forward
I was just wondering if you have any recent experience with a few of the companies on your website with regards to hiring felons. I was offered 2 positions, one by Comcast and one by Xerox, and they both declined the offer after the background check came back. My conviction is over 8 years old and had nothing to do with the positions I was being hired for.
I have my second interviewtomorrow with American Express and really don't want to got through the same disappointment. American Express asked the question about conviction on the applicant, whereas the other two companies did not. American Express still called and is taking me through the interview process, so I was just wondering if you had any insight into their company policy and if I would have any recourse against American Express if they declined the offer after the background check is conducted, since I fully disclosed everything on my application upon applying.
I'm located in Florida, if that helps.
Thanks!
Do Employers Have to Hire Felons?
Hello,
Unfortunately I meet ex-offenders and felons who misunderstand what is meant by companies that hire ex-offenders and felons. Just because a company has a policy that allows for the hiring of people with criminal records, doesn't mean that will hire all felons. Always the nature of the conviction will be considered.
It is my experience that anyone with a conviction that involves any type of theft, fraud or robbery has a very difficult time landing a job that involves trust on any level. Also any type of assault (aggravated or sexual) will create a difficult challenge. Difficult does not mean impossible. Ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs should apply for every job they feel qualified for. They have to make the most of every opportunity to get hired. As for having legal recourse against any company that refuses to hire you, you have none. Any company is free to hire or not anyone it chooses. There is no law that states that felons have a right to a job. Employers have a responsibility to hire the best person available. There is a movement in this country to help make getting jobs for felons a lot easier. The federal government is also pitching in with programs that can help ex-offenders and felons get jobs. You can find more about them here: I hope this helps. Jobs for Felons: Government Help For Felons Looking for Jobs
Jobs for Felons: The Facts about Companies that Hire Ex offenders and Felons (2019)
Do Employers Have to Hire Felons?
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