Words by Smiley Team
With the belief that everyone deserves a chance at leading a good life, Business in the Community (BITC) is offering a fresh start to people held back by a criminal record. Through their Ban the Box campaign, the charity has encouraged 150 employers to reduce barriers to ex-criminals hoping to reintegrate into society through work.
Launched in 2013, the campaign reached a turning point today as employers opened up over one million roles to jobseekers with criminal convictions, offering them a fair application process to secure a position matching their skills.
By removing the tick box for criminal convictions in the early stages of their application processes, a collection of banks, law firms and supermarket chains will help 11.7 million people in the UK with a criminal record apply for jobs without fearing that their past errors will forever influence their futures.
Employment and skills director at BITC Nicola Inge commented: “The 150 companies who have stepped up to Ban the Box understand that finding your next recruit isn’t about ticking a box, it’s about considering people with the right skills and experience, and not judging them on past mistakes. Those companies which haven’t banned the box could be locking themselves out of a talent pool totalling 11.7 million people in the UK. These people could diversify the workforce and provide a huge return on a company’s investment – but they need to be given a second chance.”
This small action of removing one tick box will have a big impact on the UK economy. Reoffending is costing taxpayers, businesses and communities £18.1 billion annually, according to the Ministry of Justice. But when those with criminal convictions find work, they are 34 per cent less likely to re-offend.
One anonymous beneficiary added “My offence happened because of complicated personal circumstances and there’s never space to explain on an application form. I have applied for so many jobs and never heard back. I know my qualifications are good, so I know that it’s because I’ve had to tick the box. When I applied for my current job, I really appreciated the fact that I was not asked about criminal convictions straight away.”
Minister for prisons and probation, Lucy Frazer said: “There are few better ways to reduce reoffending than getting former offenders into work and the Government has been leading by example on this. In the Civil Service, we have banned the box from all but the most sensitive roles and I’d urge all employers to follow suit. You will be helping shape a nation with less crime and fewer victims while giving these men and women a second chance.”
The move benefits business too. While skills shortages are costing UK employers an estimated £6.6 billion a year, the many people across the UK have qualifications that match employers’ needs. Indeed, thirty-five per cent of employers joining the campaign believe that it will help resolve skills shortages in their workplaces, a third found that by being part of the scheme they have retained or gained new contracts and 74 per cent found that it has improved their reputation.
One of the latest businesses to sign up to the campaign is BNP Paribas. Their UK Head of HR, Louise Fitzgerald-Lombard, commented: “In this situation, the right thing also happens to be the best thing for our bottom line. Diversity and inclusion underpin our long term business success and as the bank, for a changing world we’re proud to support those looking to change their lives for the better.”
BITC is a charity that brings together a network of businesses dedicated to doing good in their communities. It is dedicated to creating good jobs, thriving communities and a healthy planet to live on.
For more information about how you can help BITC fill in their online contact form.
