Jobs for Felons: Walmart announces big-money racial equity initiatives

Walmart's five initiatives follow $100M commitment to racial equity following death of George Floyd

Originally published by By Paul BestFOXBusiness

Walmart executives are planning several company initiatives to increase racial equity at the retail behemoth.

The company plans to work with minority-owned suppliers, deepen ties to historically black colleges, increase access to health care, work to hire nonviolent felons and develop a more inclusive company, CEO Doug McMillon wrote in a memo posted to the Walmart website.

“Black Lives Matter. It is all our responsibilities to embrace that fact in what we say and what we do," McMillion wrote. "There’s no way to live our values if we don’t."

Walmart did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The memo was a follow-up to a company-wide virtual meeting last week at which racial equality at Walmart was discussed. McMillon's memo highlighted how the company has made increasing diversity within its ranks of associates and managers a priority and how it will continue to do so.

"How can you, as an anti-racist ally, create an environment where Blacks and African Americans, Hispanics and Latinos, Asians, Native Americans, LGBTQ, those with disabilities and women, don’t feel it’s a big decision to speak up?" McMillon wrote. "Let’s create a supportive, trustful environment where people can share how they’re feeling, so 'small' issues don’t stack."

Walmart faced controversy this week because some stores placed “multicultural hair and beauty products” in locked cases, which many African American customers said was discriminatory. The company announced Thursday that it had discontinued the practice.

he memo was published after the Arkansas-based company announced last week that it is donating $100 million through a new center on racial equity. The company has also joined a growing list of businesses that have announced big-dollar donations to racial equity initiatives in the wake of George Floyd's killing while he was in police custody and the protests against racism and policing that have swept the country since.

Supermarkets like Publix and Kroger have announced millions of dollars in donations while tech titans have taken the lead in the private sector. Apple announced a $100 million commitment Thursday to a new “Racial Equity and Justice Initiative.” YouTube Chief Executive Susan Wojcicki announced on Thursday a $100 million commitment to “amplify” black voices, and Facebook and Amazon have both promised $10 million to organizations supporting racial justice.

Walmart's five initiatives are:

Financial System

Walmart plans to examine its financial and business practices to identify greater opportunities for minority-owned businesses to identify opportunities to influence how access to capital works beyond Walmart.

Health care

Walmart plans to explore ways to provide greater access to better health and wellness through its businesses such as pharmacies, digital capabilities and Walmart Health Clinics. The initiative will be focused on customers and associates.

Education

Walmart plans to strengthen academic support and create broader and deeper ties through its recruiting programs with historically black colleges and universities.

Criminal Justice

Walmart plans to review and evolve its recruiting and hiring practices to ensure nonviolent, formerly incarcerated applicants are appropriately considered as they reenter the workforce and focus on successfully onboarding those associates.

Inclusion

Walmart plans to continue to build a more inclusive company globally.

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Eric Mayo

Trades Schools/Programs Can Stop Police Shootings

I usually post answers on my blog to questions I get from ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs.  Today, I found an article that is interesting.  Tell me what you think

- Eric


Originally posted at https://www.hypefresh.co/trades-schools-programs-can-stop-police-shootings/

What If Rayshard Brooks, George Floyd, and all other black men killed by police were seen as hardworking men?


Police shootings of unarmed black men and women are the most significant issues this country is facing right now. A post-secondary school option could be the solution to this ongoing problem.

Netflix has an entire collection of movies viewers can watch to educate themselves on the African American experience. One of the movies featured is a Netflix Original entitled 13th. If you haven’t already, please do yourself a favor and watch that documentary, because the prison industrial complex is real.

However, all you need to know right now, is that African Americans are criminalized far too often in this country. In light of that anecdote, the issue of police killings of black men and women can gain more clarity.

Due to the racist background of policing in this country and the effect of migration of labor jobs out of American. African Americans have been stripped away from the thing that made them so valuable.

According to NPR, thousands of high paying trade jobs remain open because of a lack of qualified workers. This may not seem relatable, but if you look at how African Americans were able to build wealth in the past, and there is a direct correlation.

Aside from Slave, most black people held skilled labor titles such as Welder, Plumber, Contractor, Etc. In fact, because of Slavery, only a small portion of the working-class white could perform most trades.

The 13th amendment made black people into criminals; college marketing made black people broke. As black people started migrating north searching for more freedoms, they began to go to college rather than work with their hands. This trend continued and was joined by public schools removing trades.

This has to lead us to where we are today—police shootings of unarmed African American men and women over petite crimes.  If the general perception of African Americans were that they are hardworking, skilled laborers, the “fear” that gets them killed wouldn’t exist.

In Philadelphia, there is a school called Philadelphia Training Technician Institute that teaches welding, masonry, among other trades. Many of the students are from the inner city, convicted felons, or people off the street. Yet one thing is clear; this men are up to something good.

Whether it is 10 am or 10 pm, which is the time some night students leave, with their gear, workboots, and bookbags, the thugs the media see become the worker’s people respect.

Rayshard Brooks and George Floyd both may still be dead even if they had mutual degrees from Harvard. That is because race is color first, Conversely, though, it’s about perception second and that perception can be swayed with just the slightest change. Ex) Football Player takes a knee, he is a problem. Cop Takes a knee on a man’s neck and kills him; he is a hero. See what I did there?

What do you guys think about Police Shootings of unarmed Black People? Could Trade schools help change how police see people of color?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Black Lives Matter | Rayshard Brooks | George Floyd | Companies hire felons | companies that hire felons | Companies that hire ex-offenders | Employers that hire ex-offenders | employers that hire felons | Jobs for felons | jobs for ex-offenders | jobs that hire felons | places that hire felons | felon friendly jobs | felon friendly employers | how to get a job with criminal record | second chance jobs for felons | temp agencies that hire felons | high paying jobs for felons 

Trades Schools/Programs Can Stop Police Shootings

Eric Mayo

Female Felon Seeks a Job

Female Felon Seeks a Job

Hi,

My name is Melissa I'm from Philly I do have a criminal record. I got into some trouble when I was 18 years old and was found guilty of aggravated assault, possessing instrument of a crime, simple assault, criminal conspiracy, reckless endangering another person. I was given 11 months jail time.

I thought I needed to better my self because I knew it wasn't gonna be easy trying to find work so I went back to school when I was 26 and got my high school diploma and went to school for cosmetology and completed it also in '07. I'm 28 now single mom of 2 year old twins my question is on my record there are a lot of charges that I wasn't found guilty of and next to them it says nolle prossed.  Is there any way that I can get those removed because it looks really bad with all these charges on there and I think this might be the reason why my luck hasn't been good.

Is there a program out there that has job leads only for ex-offenders if so please put me down. 

 Female Felon Seeks a Job

Hello Melissa,


I'm sorry you are having so much trouble. As I suggest to ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs is to apply to small companies. Surely there are hundreds of small salons in Philadelphia that can use a hard-working person with a cosmetology degree. You may have to be willing to start off at the bottom, perhaps shampooing and cleaning up. It may not be what you want right away but it's a start. Pick up the phone book and start making a list of salons to visit. Have some business cards made up and leave them with salon owners advertising that you will work on an on call basis if there are no permanent positions available.

You may want to the Philadelphia Re-entry Coalition.  There you will find a list of resources that can help ex-offenders and felon.  You can get more information here: https://www.philadelphiareentrycoalition.org

 In Pennsylvania, under some circumstances, you may be able to have a criminal record expunged, which means that information is removed from your record.  If you are eligible to have your records expunged, you may petition the court for an order of expungement. I suggest seeking legal assistance from a qualified attorney. You may be able to free or low-cost help at your local legal aid office. You can get more information here:

https://clsphila.org/services/criminal-record-expungement/

I hope this helps

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Jobs for Felons: The Facts about Companies that Hire Ex offenders and Felons (2018)

Jobs for Felons: Five Places Felons Can Find Jobs - Get a Job Quickly!

Lady Felon needs Job Search Help

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Felon wants to expunge federal and state convictions

The price of a second chance; expungement explained

The Job Market is Cold Blooded out here. I need help I have lost my Job, my Apartment. When people know that you have a record they will not respect you as a working class person. I was fired so a Chef could get my job. I had been there almost one month. I told the Chef about my record he was like can you pass a Drug test I was sure. I passed. I told him my charge was over 20 years old he was like don't worry about that. The Sous Chef wanted my job for his friend so he had the Chef's boss do a background check and the fired me saying I was not doing my job. Two months later I run into a old co - worker they said I was fired because of my record. It's hard out here.

Felon wants to expunge federal and state convictions

I have good news and bad news. You may have a possibility of having your state record expunged. Often ex-offender and felon job searches begin with some legal assistance. Check with your local legal aid office to see if you are eligible in your state. There you can get the best information on the expungement process as it relates to your state. If possible, you may also get help getting that done there. As far as your federal charges, there is no such thing as the expungement of federal records. You may apply for a federal pardon, but they are rarely given.

Be tough in your job search. Apply to every restaurant you can think of. Even a blind man will hit something if he throws enough rocks.

Take a look at the video below.  You will find some possible places that ex-offenders and felons can get some job leads.

 I'm sorry I couldn't be more helpful.

Jobs for Ex-offenders and Felons: Where can Ex-offenders Find Jobs

Jobs for Ex-offenders and Felons: Ten Steps to Getting a Job with a Criminal Record

This Book Has Helped Thousands of Felons Get Jobs ! You can get a copy of this book for as little as $5.00 Click Here!

Felon wants to expunge federal and state convictions

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This company is hiring without asking about candidates’ backgrounds — here’s why

Originally published on CNBC - Karina Hernandez
Wed, Feb 26 2020

Inquiries into your criminal background are standard when filling out a job application. But for folks who have experienced life behind bars, their prospects of getting hired are cut in half, hindering their ability to settle back into society.


The Body Shop, the cosmetics brand from the United Kingdom, wants to lend a helping hand for marginalized people struggling to get a job. This summer, the company will implement “open hiring” — a hiring process that employs anyone on a first-come first-serve basis without asking about criminal and educational backgrounds — in all of its North American stores. The Body Shop claims it is the first retailer to do so in the United States.

“For us it’s not about filling roles and hiring more people,” said Andrea Blieden, the U.S. general manager for The Body Shop. “This is about setting an example as a brand about how this can be a force for good and fight injustices in society that exist, like unequal access to employment.”


How ‘open hiring’ began

The concept of open hiring is often credited to Greyston Bakery, which was established in 1982 in Yonkers, New York. People can sign up for a job at the factory and are immediately hired once a position becomes available.

New hires go through an apprenticeship program to learn the job’s duties and basic life skills. Completion of the apprenticeship leads to an entry-level position with Greyston Bakery, which supplies Ben & Jerry’s with brownies and sells its own brownies at Whole Foods.

Lucas Tanner, chief operating officer of Greyston Bakery, considers the hiring practice to be revolutionary. “We profoundly believe that open hiring, even though it’s a simple idea and it’s an extraordinary idea, can change the world,” said Tanner.

Open hiring can also change lives. Arthur, 50, had been in and out of prison since he was 16 years old, and his criminal record affected his chances of obtaining a steady job. “So many people judge you by your background and mistakes you did in your past,” he said. “They will slam the door on you right away.”

But 19 months ago, Greyston Bakery took a chance on Arthur. He was immediately hired after patiently waiting eight months to land an interview with the company. “I wasn’t judged,” said Arthur. “Right off the bat I was given an opportunity.”

Oftentimes, companies ask Tanner whether the new hires are ever violent. He said that is a misconception of open hiring. “We’ve never witnessed that,” said Tanner.

Starting ‘open hiring’ with larger employers

In 2018, the company launched the Center for Open Hiring to aid other businesses in adopting similar practices. One of their clients is The Body Shop.

In September 2019, Greyston helped the company transform its North Carolina distribution center into a pilot program. Background checks and educational requirements were removed for the 208 seasonal workers hired at the distribution center. Only three questions were asked during the application process: “Are you authorized to work in the United States?,” “Can you stand for up to eight hours?” and “Can you lift over 50 pounds?”

Since the start of the program, the company saw a 60% decline in employee turnover in 2019 compared to 2018. These results convinced The Body Shop to take this initiative to its stores, in hopes of giving a second chance to marginalized communities, like formerly incarcerated people.

A 2018 report by the Prison Policy Initiative found that 27% of ex-offenders are unemployed, compared to just 5.2% of the general population. Those who have earnings when released from prison earn less than a full-time worker earning minimum wage.

“All of these barriers that come into people’s way can be lessened when someone has some independence,” said Han Lu, a policy analyst at National Employment Law Project, “which is usually found in a salary or a wage.”

In a time when employers are voicing concerns over a labor shortage, Lu believes it’s an opportunity for employers to take the lead and abandon criminal background checks. “Workers with records tend to be more reliable and can have less turnover,” explained Lu. “It’s a place where employers can have a big impact in the communities that they exist in.”

The Body Shop sees the potential in this untapped population. “You are expanding your employment opportunities and you are giving people a chance they might have not had,” said Blieden, “and the goal would be that you have less employees turn.”

Formerly incarcerated employees perform as well or better, studies show

Prior studies explain the benefits for an employer when hiring people with a criminal background. In a study of military members, experts found that among 1.3 million ex-felons in the military, those with a criminal record performed as well or better than those with no record.Often times, ex-felons were promoted faster to higher ranks.

In 2016, John Hopkins Hospital shared results of a five-year study on 500 ex-offenders it hired. There was a lower turnover rate in the first 40 months, compared to non-offenders.

But not everyone is on board with these types of hiring practices. Opponents say ex-offender friendly initiatives, like “ban the box” or “fair chance hiring,” come along with unintended consequences. Initiatives like “ban the box” or “fair chance hiring” differ slightly from “open hiring” because applicants still deal with the typical job application process, but any questions regarding criminal history are removed. In contrast, people are automatically hired through open hiring without a formal job application or interview.

A study claims that when criminal history information is removed during the hiring process, it can actually lead to an “increase of statistical discrimination against demographic groups that include more ex-offenders,” like black and Latino men, because of the assumption that they are more likely to possess a criminal record. These findings have been disputed by economists.

The movement for inclusive hiring gained some momentum in December 2019 when President Donald Trump signed the Fair Chance Act as part of the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act. Federal agencies and contractors will be barred from inquiring about criminal records before a job offer. It will take effect at the end of 2021.

Just like the federal government, Andrea Blieden hopes other companies join The Body Shop to take a chance on those who have been locked out of the labor market. “We take chances every single day at work, in life,” said Blieden, “and this is probably one of the best chances that we have taken, and we’re really excited about it.”

Jobs for Felons: Companies Pledge Second Chance Opportunities

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This company is hiring without asking about candidates’ backgrounds — here’s why

Eric Mayo