What is second-chance employment?

Second-chance employment refers to hiring practices that provide job opportunities to individuals who have criminal records or other barriers to employment. These programs help people rebuild their lives after incarceration while giving employers access to motivated, loyal workers who might otherwise be overlooked in the traditional hiring process.

What is the "ban the box" policy mentioned with Target?

"Ban the box" refers to removing the checkbox on job applications that asks about criminal history. Companies like Target have adopted this policy to ensure applicants are evaluated first on their qualifications rather than being immediately screened out due to past convictions. This allows candidates a fair chance to demonstrate their skills and potential before addressing their background.

What is the Second Chance Business Coalition?

The Second Chance Business Coalition is a group of large companies (including PepsiCo and Kroger from this stock collection) committed to expanding job opportunities for people with criminal records. These businesses collaborate to develop and share best practices for hiring, retaining, and advancing these individuals, while advocating for policy changes that remove unnecessary barriers to employment.

How might second-chance hiring affect a company's performance?

Companies with second-chance hiring programs often report lower turnover rates, as formerly incarcerated individuals tend to demonstrate higher loyalty and motivation. This can reduce recruitment and training costs while building a diverse workforce. Additionally, these inclusive practices can enhance brand reputation with socially conscious consumers and investors, potentially leading to increased customer loyalty and new market opportunities.

What is recidivism and how do these companies help reduce it?

Recidivism refers to a person's relapse into criminal behavior after they've been released from incarceration. Employment is one of the strongest factors in preventing recidivism. Companies in this collection help reduce recidivism rates by providing stable jobs, training programs, and career advancement opportunities that give formerly incarcerated individuals economic stability and a positive path forward.

17 handpicked stocks

Second Chance Employers

Looking for investments with heart and smarts? These companies are changing lives through fair chance hiring practices, employing individuals rebuilding their lives after incarceration. Handpicked by our analysts, these forward-thinking businesses aren't just driving social change—they're building loyal workforces that boost their bottom line.

Han Tan | Market Analyst

Updated 2 days ago | Published at juin 17