Learn more from our resources.


HOW TO GET STARTED

Resources to help you develop and implement successful Fair Chance hiring practices and policies.

 

Employer Self-Assessment: Take this quiz to see where your organization fits along the Fair Chance hiring spectrum.


Getting Started Guide: The Guide offers actionable tips and best practices on how fair chance hiring might fit with your organization's priorities and processes.


25 Ways to Implement Fair Chances: The following list provides 25 action items that you can consider when incorporating fair chances into your organization.


Legal Opinions: Learn more about various aspects of Fair Chance hiring from our expert partners:

THE CASE FOR FAIR CHANCE EMPLOYMENT

Resources to understand and explain the benefits of fair chance hiring and advancement programs to companies, employees and candidates.

 

The Case for Fair Chance Employment: This slide deck provides an overview of the Fair Chances Coalition and how fair chance policies and practices can benefit your organization.


Canadian Perspectives: Canadians support fair chance hiring. Read polling results of Canadian’s opinions surrounding hiring practices and employment eligibility for individuals with a criminal record.


The Story Behind the Record: Learn more from one of our expert partners about the individuals behind the record and some of the misconceptions that follow them.


RECORD CHECK RESOURCES

Resources to learn more about record checks, the record check process and how to use record checks at your organization.

 

Resources for Employers: The John Howard Society of Ontario offers free resources for employers, HR and decisions makers through the Police Record Hub. Check out the following resources:

25 WAYS TO IMPLEMENT FAIR CHANCES

The following list provides 25 action items that you can consider when incorporating fair chances into your organization.

  • 1. Hiring managers and staff receive training and information about the impacts of justice involvement, the predictive value of criminal record checks in the hiring process and the importance of fairly assessing record check results.

    2. If you are a fair chance employer, it is stated in your job postings.

    3. If a criminal record check is part of the hiring process for a particular position, it is stated in the job posting.

    4. If a positive criminal record check is not a disqualifying factor for applicants to the position, it is stated in the job posting.

    5. Candidates are proactively invited to participate in an open discussion about any past convictions during an interview.

    6. If a criminal record check will be requested, candidates are informed ahead of time on what information will be requested, what will be reviewed, by whom and how this information will be kept and stored.

  • 7. Individual assessments are made for each position and criminal record checks are only requested where it is relevant to the position.

    8. Criminal record checks are only performed after a conditional offer of employment has been made.

    9. When a positive check result is received, the relevance of the record to the position is considered and any irrelevant records are not considered.

    10. If a record check is performed by a third-party company, they are instructed to only provide information about results that have been deemed relevant to the position.

    11. The circumstances of any record or conviction are considered in the individual assessments of candidates.

    12. Steps are taken to ensure that access to record check results is limited to only those who require it (e.g., management) and that the privacy of job candidates is maintained.

  • 13. Employees are provided with flexible working and shift scheduling opportunities.

    14. Employees are provided with resources and referrals to address potential challenges (e.g., housing, transportation to and from work, childcare, etc.).

    15. Employees who are looking to apply for a record suspension are supported and assisted with the process as needed.

    16. Support is provided to employees to help maintain/meet probation or parole-related conditions or requirements (e.g., scheduling conflicts, referrals, etc.).

    17. New hires are provided with structured support mechanisms (e.g., regular check-ins with manager, mentorship, etc.) to promote successful integration into the workplace.

  • 18. Promotion and outreach are done with employer peers, employment placement agencies and through other employee recruitment opportunities (e.g., conferences, job fairs, hiring initiatives, etc.) to share information and bring awareness to the organization’s fair chance hiring policies.

    19. Job categories that are more accessible to candidates with past justice involvement are identified and shared with recruitment partners and agencies.

    20. Outreach is done to collaborate with and support agencies who work with individuals with past justice involvement to train and recruit job- ready candidates (e.g., funding, expertise sharing, placement programs, etc.)

  • 21. Hiring staff and management are encouraged to attend, engage with and support learning opportunities about fair chance hiring (e.g., roundtable discussions, presentations sharing the benefits of fair chance hiring at your organization, etc.).

    22. Fair chance hiring is incorporated into the organization’s diversity, equity and inclusion strategies and commitments.

    23. The organization’s CEO or leadership team expresses and champions fair chance hiring in public engagements (e.g., conferences, social media, etc.).

    24. Community partners and individuals with lived experience of justice involvement are consulted and their experiences inform the organization’s fair chance hiring practices and policies.

    25. Formalized sponsorship opportunities are created to encourage the recruitment of justice-involved candidates (e.g., fellowships, scholarships, etc.).