Corporate Coalition of Chicago’s Post

The U.S. labor shortage is real—and growing. To stay competitive, employers will need to evaluate all forms of available talent, including the largest untapped talent pool, individuals with criminal records, according to Jeffrey Korzenik, Author of Untapped Talent and expert advisor to the Corporate Coalition Fair Chance Hiring Cohort. Why? Because fair chance hiring delivers: ✅ Access to an overlooked, motivated workforce ✅ Loyal, engaged employees ✅ Stronger, more diverse and more inclusive company culture Investing in potential isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s a proven, profitable business strategy. Want to learn how your company can explore fair chance hiring or build upon its current practices? Reach out to Stephanie Dolan, Program Director for Fair Chance Hiring. Our next cohort launches in February! #FairChanceHiring #InclusiveLeadership #TalentStrategy #TalentAcquisiton #Inclusion #Access #Awareness #TalentShortage #UntappedTalent #Chicago #Opportunity #SecondChanceHiring

As we look ahead to 2025, workforce planning and the ongoing search for innovative ways to secure top talent remain key priorities. Fair Chance Hiring continues to be a forward-thinking and impactful solution to meeting these needs. Consider working with Corporate Coalition of Chicago to learn how to manage this type of program.

🚨 The U.S. labor shortage is real—and growing. To stay competitive, businesses must think differently about their hiring strategies. That means tapping into one of the largest untapped talent pools—individuals with criminal records. As Jeffrey Korzenik author of Untapped Talent (if you haven’t purchased this book, you need to) and advisor to the Corporate Coalition Fair Chance Hiring Cohort, reminds us: Fair chance hiring isn’t just about doing the right thing. It’s a proven, profitable business strategy that delivers: ✅ Access to a motivated, overlooked workforce ✅ Loyal, engaged employees ✅ A stronger, more inclusive company culture At Persevere we specialize in developing untapped talent. From teaching Full Stack Development behind the walls in 7 states to supporting community-based programs across all 95 counties in Tennessee, we empower individuals to thrive in their careers and help companies address labor shortages with skilled, dedicated employees. Let’s redefine what’s possible. Partner with Persevere and invest in talent for 2025! 💬 Comment below or send me a message to learn how we can help your company succeed through fair chance hiring. #FairChanceHiring #UntappedTalent #Persevere

April is Fair Chance Hiring Month. This month we will be raising awareness about the important effort of creating job opportunities for people who are justice-impacted. Nearly one in three working-age adults in the U.S. has a prior arrest or conviction, and as a result, faces significant barriers to employment. As companies assess their staffing needs, fair chance hiring is one way for companies to reach and retain untapped, diverse talent. Alongside Cara Plus and Chicagoland Workforce Funder Alliance, we are working with companies through our Fair Chance Hiring Initiative to support companies in recruiting, hiring, retaining and advancing justice-impacted talent in Chicago and beyond. To learn more read here and join the movement: https://lnkd.in/ghNbQv_A #fairchancehiring #secondchancehiring #Chicago #access #opportunity #workforce #collaboration #Chicago #BusinessUNusual #diversity #equity #inclusion #untappedtalent

Last week, we hosted a #FairChanceHiring webinar in recognition of Fair Chance Hiring Month. Throughout the webinar, panelists representing corporations and nonprofit partners shared their experience implementing Fair Chance Hiring initiatives in addressing talent shortages while promoting inclusion and social equity. Panelists included: Nan Gibson, Executive Director, Policy Center, JPMorgan Chase & Co. Matt Primack, President, Advocate Condell Medical Center Liana Bran, Director of Expansion Strategy, Cara Plus Stephanie Dolan, Program Director, Corporate Coalition of Chicago Here’s what we learned: ◾ The power of partnerships: Successful Fair Chance Hiring initiatives rely on robust partnerships between employers and community organizations. These collaborations not only facilitate talent acquisition but also provide crucial support for retention and advancement within organizations. Notably, partnerships between Advocate Aurora Health and Cara Chicago have paved the way for over 80 fair chance opportunities, demonstrating their commitment to partnership and community engagement. ◾ Navigating regulatory challenges: Highly regulated financial institutions, like JPMorgan Chase & Co., have found innovative ways to navigate regulatory barriers. Collaborative efforts with regulators, like the Fair Hiring and Banking Act, have led to meaningful reforms, enabling employers to access a broader talent pool. ◾ Changing the narrative: One in three working age Americans have a record that may be a significant barrier to employment. This means most people know someone who deserves a second chance. By championing inclusive hiring practices, we can foster societal reintegration and empower individuals to thrive in the workforce. The Second Chance Business Coalition has partnered with approximately 80 organizations, like the National Basketball Association (NBA), to provide employers with resources and reach a broader audience with the goal of shifting perceptions about second chance hiring and record clearing. ◾ Holistic talent development: Viewing candidates holistically is essential. It's not just about modifying the background check process but addressing various barriers candidates might face throughout the hiring journey, from job awareness to interview preparation. JPMorgan Chase & Co. developed a community hiring model, holds expungement clinics with their pro bono legal team, and collaborates with community partners to address regulatory frameworks and barriers candidates may face throughout the hiring journey. By embracing Fair Chance Hiring, organizations can tap into a diverse talent pool, foster inclusion, and drive innovation in the workplace. Let's continue these conversations and work towards building a more equitable future of work together. #secondchancehiring #Chicago #access #opportunity #workforce #collaboration #BusinessUNusual #diversity #equity #inclusion #untappedtalent #talentacquisiton #retention #partnerships

At #AROUET, we are dedicated to promoting Fair Chance hiring in Arizona, recognizing its potential to transform lives and strengthen our economy. By providing opportunities to justice-involved individuals, we can create a more inclusive workforce and foster community growth. Why Fair Chance Hiring Matters: 1. Economic Growth: Leveraging an underutilized talent pool helps fill labor shortages and boosts Arizona’s economy. 2. Reduced Recidivism: Employment significantly lowers recidivism rates, enhancing public safety. 3. Social Equity: This approach addresses systemic inequalities, benefiting marginalized communities. 4. Family Stability: Jobs support family reunification and financial security. 5. Improved Employee Loyalty: Offering second chances can lead to increased employee loyalty and retention, as individuals are often highly motivated to succeed and contribute positively to their workplace. EMPLOYMENT TIP OF THE WEEK: Each week, I will share a tip to promote Fair Chance hiring. This week, I encourage you to explore the Fair Chance Employer Badge on #PipelineAZ. This badge allows businesses to demonstrate their commitment to fair chance employment by highlighting their inclusive hiring practices on their Pipeline AZ profile. By applying for this badge, you can connect with skilled candidates eager for meaningful employment and showcase your dedication to building a supportive workplace environment. By embracing Fair Chance hiring and utilizing tools like the Fair Chance Employer Badge, we can collectively contribute to a more equitable and prosperous future for Arizona. #FAIRCHANCEHIRING #PipelineAZ #GetttingTalentBacktoWork #TipsforFairChanceHiring 👏🌟

Don't miss our OpEd in Crain's today on #FairChanceHiring! https://lnkd.in/eWuFWQAU "To build momentum, our organizations have joined forces in a coordinated effort to enable more businesses to change their practices, bolstered by effective training and support services for applicants, hiring managers, and HR executives. We share effective approaches, support companies in deciding where to begin and identifying which practices to change, and connect employers to partners that can help identify qualified applicants. Our mutual goal is to make the Chicago region a leader in fair chance hiring - to give our businesses a competitive advantage in the search for talent and give more of our residents the employment opportunities they need to thrive. Success will not come easily; the long-standing barriers to hiring individuals with records are complex and deeply embedded in corporate structures. But the experiences of our organizations and many others show that success is possible. The strategies we are pursuing are truly “win-win-win” for individuals, businesses, and our communities. We invite businesses to join us in what we believe can be a transformative effort to build a fully inclusive and thriving regional economy by providing a fair chance to all." Brian Fabes, Managing Director, Corporate Coalition of Chicago Kathleen Caliento, Ph.D., President and CEO, Cara Collective Matthew Bruce, Executive Director, Chicagoland Workforce Funder Alliance Bridget Altenburg, CEO, Skills for Chicagoland's Future for Chicagoland’s Future #fairchancehiring #secondchancehiring #Chicago #access #opportunity #workforce #collaboration #Chicago #BusinessUNusual #diversity #equity #inclusion #untappedtalent #talentacquisiton #retention #partnerships

🌟 This April, we celebrate Fair Chance Month! 🎉 At a time when inclusivity is more crucial than ever, it's important to recognize the efforts of those creating opportunities for people with criminal records. 📖 Check out this article by Checkr that discusses the significance of supporting fair chance hiring. The piece highlights how businesses can thrive by embracing a diverse workforce and giving everyone a fair chance to succeed. 👉 Read more about how we can transform our workplaces and communities https://lnkd.in/e-Ru5ZW3 #FairChanceMonth #InclusiveHiring #DiversityAndInclusion

Skills-based hiring is becoming more common in the workplace as employers realize that formal education and traditional work experience aren't required to succeed in all positions. Skills-based hiring can help you reduce metrics such as cost to hire and time to hire and have an overall positive impact on your company. What roles do you consider skills-based hiring for? #randstad #humanforward #bethelink #jobs #hiring #recruiting #staffing #talent #workforcetrends #skilledhiring Randstad USA

You won't want to miss TOMORROW's webinar 12 - 1 PM - Beyond the Case: Unlock fair chance talent to strengthen your organization with our friends and colleagues Cara Plus. As part of its Beyond the Case series, Cara Plus will unpack how employers can invest in fair chance talent — the millions of job seekers impacted by the justice system who are ready and eager to work – in its webinar this week. Hear from: ▪ Liana Bran of Cara Plus ▪ Marcus Sheanshang of JBM Packaging ▪ Tina Gagliano Mandell of Discover Financial Services The panel will discuss ways companies can explore and then implement fair chance hiring strategies. Topics include gaining buy-in at key levels, understanding unique risks and mitigations, best practices for background checks, creating pilots, and more. #fairchancehiring #secondchancehiring #Chicago #access #opportunity #workforce #collaboration #Chicago #BusinessUNusual #diversity #equity #inclusion #untappedtalent #talentacquisiton #retention #partnerships