‘Exaggerated fear’ hindering ex-offenders from gaining employment
15 October 2014
Employers have an “exaggerated fear” of hiring ex-offenders and more needs to be done to make fair consideration of criminal convictions normal, says charity Business in the Community.
Thu, 16 Oct 2014
Employers have an “exaggerated fear” of hiring ex-offenders and more needs to be done to make fair consideration of criminal convictions normal, says charity Business in the Community.
It launched a campaign, Ban the Box, last year which aimed to get employers to remove the criminal record tick box from job application forms.
The charity says a year in, 25 employers with a combined workforce of 200,000 have removed the box, enabling ex-offenders to fairly compete for jobs.
However, it says too few employers are taking action due to “exaggerated fear; misunderstanding of legal requirements surrounding conviction disclosure; and the belief that the tick box helps to prevent risk to the organisation and employees”.
In a statement from the charity, Michael, who did not give his surname, has criminal convictions, and is now employed as a team leader by construction and support services firm Carillion, said people with convictions faced many hurdles.
“Removing the tick box from application forms takes one of those hurdles away. It gives people the incentive and motivation that they can get a job because their application will be considered on its strengths. Employers with the tick box are shutting the door to some people with the skills, motivation and potential to be great employees, but who have made mistakes in the past.”
Carillion HR director Janet Dawson said: “It is so important to maintain a steady flow of skilled, engaged people into our workforce and promote opportunities within our business to a wider pool of talent. Not having a criminal record tick box is one of the ways we meet this aim.”
In a further statement provided to Recruiter, NBC Bird and Pest Solutions chief executive John Dickson, who has banned the box, said: “I would never suggest a potential employer never ask the question about previous convictions, I just don’t believe it is necessary prior to interview. If we continue to put barriers in front of those who genuinely want to go straight they will end up returning to their old ways which will result in more victims and a never ending burden to the taxpayer and local community.”
Business in the Community is calling for employers to:
It is not calling for any changes to the checks and processes that are legally required when recruiting for regulated roles as defined by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), such as jobs with children or vulnerable adults.
It launched a campaign, Ban the Box, last year which aimed to get employers to remove the criminal record tick box from job application forms.
The charity says a year in, 25 employers with a combined workforce of 200,000 have removed the box, enabling ex-offenders to fairly compete for jobs.
However, it says too few employers are taking action due to “exaggerated fear; misunderstanding of legal requirements surrounding conviction disclosure; and the belief that the tick box helps to prevent risk to the organisation and employees”.
In a statement from the charity, Michael, who did not give his surname, has criminal convictions, and is now employed as a team leader by construction and support services firm Carillion, said people with convictions faced many hurdles.
“Removing the tick box from application forms takes one of those hurdles away. It gives people the incentive and motivation that they can get a job because their application will be considered on its strengths. Employers with the tick box are shutting the door to some people with the skills, motivation and potential to be great employees, but who have made mistakes in the past.”
Carillion HR director Janet Dawson said: “It is so important to maintain a steady flow of skilled, engaged people into our workforce and promote opportunities within our business to a wider pool of talent. Not having a criminal record tick box is one of the ways we meet this aim.”
In a further statement provided to Recruiter, NBC Bird and Pest Solutions chief executive John Dickson, who has banned the box, said: “I would never suggest a potential employer never ask the question about previous convictions, I just don’t believe it is necessary prior to interview. If we continue to put barriers in front of those who genuinely want to go straight they will end up returning to their old ways which will result in more victims and a never ending burden to the taxpayer and local community.”
Business in the Community is calling for employers to:
- Remove the tick box requesting information on criminal convictions from job application processes
- Examine recruitment policies and practices to identify how disclosure of criminal convictions can be moved further down the application process
- Publically declare commitment to offering fair opportunities for ex-offenders to compete for jobs by registering as a Ban the Box employer at www.bitc.org.uk/BTBregistration
It is not calling for any changes to the checks and processes that are legally required when recruiting for regulated roles as defined by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), such as jobs with children or vulnerable adults.
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