Fair Chance Hiring in Automotive: A People-First Approach to Workforce Inclusion
Fair chance hiring, often referred to as second chance hiring is one way of fostering equity and inclusion in the workforce. This practice focuses on offering fair and equal job opportunities to individuals with criminal records by acknowledging that everyone deserves the chance to rebuild their lives and contribute to their communities.
In the automotive industry, where the demand for skilled workers is high, fair chance hiring represents a critical opportunity to tap into a largely overlooked and under-employed talent pool. This comprises a significant percentage of the population of the United States. Watch or listen to the recording to find out how significant!
The recent CADIA Connects panel on fair chance hiring, held on August 13, 2024, shed light on the significant role companies can play. Panelists included Denise Hall, CEO of Peak Performance, Rayshun Holt, Program Director at Beacon of Hope Business Alliance and Program Director at Cincinnati Works, and Erin Hynes, Senior Specialist in Global Employee Engagement & DEI at BorgWarner. They underscored that by embracing fair chance hiring, manufacturers can fill critical roles while also contributing to the broader goals of social justice and community revitalization.
The insights from the CADIA Connects panelists underscored the importance of rethinking traditional hiring practices in the manufacturing industry. This might involve implementing "ban the box" policies to remove questions about criminal history from initial job applications, offering on-the-job training, or providing support systems to help returning citizens thrive in their new roles. These steps not only help individuals reintegrate but also address the growing skills gap in manufacturing by drawing from a diverse and motivated workforce.
Rayshun Holt, who is a previously incarcerated person, talked about the difficulty of finding meaningful work, and how life-changing finding an opportunity can be. From his initial position as a second-shift supervisor to his current role as Program Director, Holt is just one example of the impact fair chance hiring can have on an individual and a company. Denise Hall shared that Peak Performance, a job training organization in Tennessee helps not only train individuals for manufacturing roles, but also trains hiring managers, supervisors and others who are actively hiring people who may have criminal records. She emphasized the importance of communication, confidentiality and training. Erin Hynes, who oversees BorgWarner’s fair chance hiring, indicated that they deem their efforts a success based on increased numbers of job applicants, and the lack of issues related to employees who may have criminal records. BorgWarner focuses on what individuals can and will do, rather than what they may have done in the past.
The impact of fair chance hiring extends far beyond the factory floor. It fosters a more inclusive society where people are valued for who they are now, not just where they’ve been. For manufacturers, embracing this "people first" approach can lead to a more dynamic, committed workforce and a stronger, more equitable community. One of the most significant impacts is the reduction in recidivism rates. When individuals with criminal records are given the opportunity to secure stable employment, they are far less likely to re-offend. Furthermore, employees who have been given a second chance often demonstrate strong loyalty and commitment to their employers, leading to higher retention rates and lower turnover costs. Holt said that in his experience, he would have “run through a wall” for his employer because he was so appreciative of finding an opportunity to participate in the workforce in a meaningful role.
Resources for fair chance hiring:
CADIA Connects Recording
CADIA Connects via Podcast. Click here to subscribe. (it's free!)
Partner Organizations –
SHRM certification – Getting Talent Back to Work
HBS Case Study – Nehemiah Mfg Co: Providing a Second Chance
Book – Untapped Talent: How Second Chance Hiring Works for Your Business and the Community
Denise Hall – Connect on LinkedIn
Rayshun Holt – Connect on LinkedIn
Article exclusively written for cadia.org
Authored by Margaret Baxter