Chamber backs Charter and says employing those with criminal records could boost regional recruitment

East Midlands businesses could plug gaps in their workforce by hiring people with a criminal record, East Midlands Chamber has said, announcing support for a new Alliance and Employment Charter which was set to launch with a “Go Live” event on 2nd October.

The UK Fair Chance Business Alliance encourages employers to open up recruitment and career progression to people that have previously offended by promoting the benefits to businesses, and providing employers with resources to safely, successfully and sustainably leverage the talent pool.

The “Go Live” event detailed the mission, overview the Charter itself, plans for the future and those businesses already involved.

East Midlands Chamber Chief Executive Scott Knowles said: “In our Quarterly Economic Survey six out of ten respondents reported having difficulty finding suitable candidates to fill roles.  The Chamber has supported prisons in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire on their employment advisory boards so supporting the Fair Chance Business Alliance and its ‘Go Live’ event to launch the Charter is a natural progression that builds on that work.

“By embracing, not excluding those with a criminal record, businesses can really take advantage of the vast expanse of this talent pool.  Widening the approach to employment would take the pressure off the recruitment process, increasing the number of skilled applicants and, ultimately, productivity.

"One of the best things about the Charter is the way it can provide resources and training to employers that sign up to it, so I’d really urge any business that has struggled with recruitment to consider joining the Fair Chance Business Alliance.” 

Fair Chance Business Alliance Chair Keith Jones said: “Overlooking this large group of candidates at a time when businesses are struggling to both attract and retain talent would be overlooking huge potential. Eight million British adults of working age have a criminal record, so to discount the opportunity presented by this talent pool would be limiting employers’ scope to find the best candidates.  

“In addition to filling a vacancy, research shows that businesses gain a more inclusive and diverse workspace. Not only are businesses that join the Alliance likely to see an increase in the number of applications for a role, but customers have the added comfort of knowing the business is community minded.

"Being an employer-led initiative, the Alliance is set up to make implementation easy; we have practical resources to help businesses recruit aligned to the UK’s first dedicated three-tier charter for recruiting and progressing people with criminal records – a disability confident for the Justice sector. A business can ultimately become a ‘Champion’ of Fair Chance Employment, showing that it is a truly inclusive workplace.”