Across sectors, companies are navigating a tight labor market where open roles are growing faster than available candidates. Within this challenge lies a powerful and untapped opportunity: a broad talent pool that is often overlooked — individuals who have been justice-impacted.
Fair Chance hiring and creating equitable employment opportunities for talent who have been impacted by the justice system is emerging not just as a social initiative but as a practical workforce strategy that can help businesses close critical gaps in their talent pipelines.
What Fair Chance Hiring Really Means
At its core, fair chance hiring is about expanding employment opportunities to individuals with a history of contact with the justice system — a population larger than many employers realize. A significant share of working-age adults in the U.S. have a form of criminal record, and many of these individuals are willing to work if traditional barriers are removed.
This approach is about expanding where organizations source qualified talent. It allows businesses to tap into a large and underutilized segment of the workforce that is ready to contribute at scale.
Why Business Leaders Should Care
For companies focused on growth, productivity and competitive advantage, fair chance hiring offers immense ROI:
- Stronger retention and loyalty: Employers who broaden their hiring practices often report higher retention rates. Workers who have faced barriers to employment tend to view job opportunities as long-term commitments, reducing turnover by 13%.
- Workplace culture: Inclusive hiring practices shape workplace culture by creating diverse teams with different perspectives — an advantage that supports innovation and cross-departmental collaboration. Nearly 85% of Human Resources managers reported that justice-impacted employees brought high value to their workplaces, elevating a culture of loyalty and inclusivity.
- Economic and social impact: Active employment is one of the most effective methods for community stability and reintegration — boosting the economy by more than $80 billion a year. When skillful workers are employed, they are more financially secure, more engaged in their communities and more motivated to grow within their roles — outcomes that benefit both society and the businesses operating within it.
Important to note, businesses do not have to enter this space alone. Statewide agencies are already working in coordination with government to skill, develop and invest in justice-impacted talent. These efforts ensure candidates are highly qualified and prepared to engage with employers in secure and professional environments. Notably, employers already applying this approach are seeing it translate into measurable workforce outcomes as part of a broader workforce strategy.
Rethinking the Talent Pipeline
The current workforce gap presents a pressing challenge for businesses — but it also creates a significant economic opportunity. Fair Chance hiring demonstrates that expanding the talent pipeline beyond traditional sources enables organizations to fill critical roles with qualified individuals while strengthening organizational culture and driving long-term growth. With the right structures in place to skill, support and integrate justice-impacted talent, companies can responsibly meet labor demands while positioning themselves for sustained success.
At its core, Fair Chance hiring aligns business necessity with social impact. By expanding access to employment, companies not only unlock an often-overlooked segment of the talent pool but also contribute to reduced recidivism — a benefit that ultimately reinforces a healthier labor market. Justice-impacted individuals are not a niche solution to a widespread problem; they are a vital part of the workforce that many organizations can no longer afford to overlook.
Vannessa Moreno is manager of Community Development & Engagement at Valley of the Sun United Way.
