What is Fair Chance Hiring?

Fair chance hiring is a recruitment and employment practice that gives individuals—particularly those with past criminal records—the opportunity to be evaluated for jobs based on their qualifications, rather than being automatically disqualified because of their legal history. This approach often involves delaying or removing early-stage questions about convictions or arrests (commonly known as “ban the box” policies), conducting background checks only after a conditional offer, and assessing whether any past offence is relevant to the specific job role.

Why Fair Chance Hiring Matters in HR and Society

For HR professionals and organisations, fair chance hiring is both a matter of compliance with evolving legal frameworks and a strategic opportunity to access a broader talent pool. By shifting the focus from a person’s past mistakes to their current skills and potential, employers can tap into high-motivation candidates who may bring loyalty, drive and diverse experiences. Research shows that excluding justice-involved individuals disproportionately affects racial minorities, thereby perpetuating systemic inequality.  Furthermore, fair chance practices contribute to community stability, reduce recidivism and enhance employer brand through socially responsible hiring.

How to Implement Fair Chance Hiring Successfully

Here are key steps HR teams should follow when designing a fair chance hiring policy:

• Review application forms and remove early criminal-history questions: Delay any inquiry about past convictions or arrests until later in the selection process.
• Establish a job-relevance assessment framework: Determine whether specific offences are relevant to the responsibilities or risks associated with the position—rather than applying blanket exclusions.
• Train hiring managers and HR on fair chance principles and legal obligations: Educate them on how and when to enquire about criminal history, how to conduct individualized assessment and how to avoid unconscious bias.
• Create onboarding and support structures for justice-involved hires: Offer mentoring, clear role expectations and integration support to help them succeed and stay engaged.

When applied thoughtfully, fair chance hiring enables organisations to value potential over past exclusion, expand inclusive talent strategies and uphold both ethical and business excellence.