Employing Ex-Offenders: Don’t lock out 1 in 4 applicants
In this webinar we talk to experts and employers who understand how to integrate ex-offenders into the workplace.
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Employers may be nervous about employing ex-offenders but with a well thought out approach and appropriate policy in place they can make the most of this promising cohort of the population. As detailed in The HR World’s recent webinar, 1 in 4 people have some kind of criminal conviction. Moreover, candidates from this part of the talent pool can prove valuable, not least for delivering impressive levels of retention.
The webinar, sponsored by social employment experts Offploy who are dedicated to helping employers engage people with convictions, looked closely at the practicalities of attracting and employing people with convictions and the impact this can have on a business.
With the help of Lisa McAteer, Regional Social Impact Manager Cymru/Wales & Southwest, Balfour Beatty and Beckie Rowland-Turner, Fresh Start Manager, Greggs, Offploy’s Founder, Jacob Hill and their Training and Advocacy Manager, Rik Willis gave an insight into the progress made on employing people with convictions.
What emerged was a scenario in which employers can start small in terms of creating a policy for approaching this talent pool to the more sophisticated issues concerning HR’s need to stay in touch with legislative demands and changes relating to employing people with convictions, recording and retaining information about those convictions. Attracting and recruiting talent is one thing – and can be done either through active initiatives such as outreach work to existing prisoners or simply being open to such talent through the usual channels – but staying compliant and handling what can be sensitive data correctly is quite another.
Employing people with convictions may require extra work and considerations from employers, but the benefits are also there for the taking. Not only does the organisation gain access to some great workers, but employing these kind of people has benefits for company culture and the ED&I agenda. If employees can see the business being open and welcoming to all people it can help promote a welcoming and inclusive business where people are accepted beyond any labels that might be put on them, and even beyond the choices they might have made in the past.
As employers continue to face a talent and skills short market this is an opportune moment to open the way to employing people from this part of the talent pool. This webinar offers a fantastic guide to the first steps for doing so.
Employer’s use Offploy’s free & confidential advice line to ask about advice on applicants to their policies Book their next available appointment here
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About Offploy
Opening the Door to Opportunity – Offploy believe in fair chances and the human capacity for change. Regardless of background or past choices, we all deserve a brighter future when we are ready for it.
We view helping socially excluded individuals as our duty, not just a choice. Our collective efforts can make a remarkable impact on transforming lives and creating a more inclusive, safer society.
Speakers
Jacob Hill: Founder, Offploy
Jacob Hill is the founder of Offploy, an organisation dedicated to reducing reoffending by helping individuals with convictions secure meaningful employment. After his own experience in the justice system, Jacob recognised the need for change in the way employers view and engage with people with criminal records. Since its inception, Offploy has worked with businesses across the UK, demonstrating that employing people with convictions can be a powerful solution to both talent shortages and the broader challenge of fostering inclusive workplaces.
Lisa McAteer: Regional Social Impact Manager Cymru/Wales & Southwest, Balfour Beatty
With over 6 years’ experience at Balfour Beatty, Lisa is currently working as a Regional Head of Social Impact Wales and Southwest; Driving focus and change in Social Sustainability and equity. She is leading for Balfour Beatty across UK on developing pathways to work into Balfour Beatty for people who face additional barriers such as Prison leavers, Care experienced young people and Refugees
She has more than 20 years of experience in the third sector, managing DWP welfare to work and MoJ contracts, as Regional Operations Manager and then Head of Quality and Risk.Lisa recently stepped down having been Chair of Balfour Beatty group Ability Affinity and Allies network for 5 years. She is a Fairness, Inclusion and Respect Ambassador, STEM Ambassador and Diversity and Inclusion Ambassador. Lisa is passionate about driving the sustainability and inclusion agendas to ensure we attract and retain diverse talent in the construction industry and leave a positive legacy for future generations.
She is a Director at Planet CIC, and co-chair and co-founder of Constuct-Ability; an organisation formed to support disabled people in the construction sector She is also recently been appointed as Chair of Employment Advisory Board at Cardiff Prison.
Rik Willis: Training and Advocacy Manager, Offploy
Rik Willis is the Training and Advocacy Manager at Offploy, bringing a wealth of expertise in navigating complex legislation, policies, and risk management. With years of experience in this field, Rik has played a crucial role in developing Offploy’s strategic approach to supporting employers and individuals with convictions.
He has delivered webinars to over 1,500 participants, guiding them on how to create safer and more inclusive workplaces through informed hiring practices.
In this session, Rik will share his deep understanding of how employers can confidently navigate legal frameworks related to recruiting individuals with convictions. He will discuss the importance of risk management and compliance, and demonstrate how inclusive hiring not only meets regulatory obligations but also enhances organisational diversity and resilience. Additionally, Rik will highlight the success of Offploy’s tool that helps over 13 million individuals understand when their conviction becomes spent, further emphasising the importance of informed and fair recruitment strategies.
Beckie Rowland-Turner: Fresh Start Manager, Greggs
Beckie has managed Greggs employability programme, Fresh Start, for a number of years, having previously worked as an Area Manager for Greggs. Alongside this, Beckie is the Employers’ Advisory Chair for HMP Foston Hall Prison and also manages the relationship with the Employers’ Forum for Reducing Re-offending, of which Greggs Chief Executive Roisin Currie is the Chair.
Hosted by
Simon Kent: Head of Content, The HR World
Simon Kent has been a freelance journalist in the field of HR and the workplace for over 20 years. He cut his teeth travelling the country asking people what they did for a living for The Guardian and developing an interest in how work and employees are managed.
He has written extensively for the national press, business and professional publications dedicated to general and specific HR functions, taking in HR tech, pay and benefits, legal, training, recruitment and more. He has edited HR and public sector magazines, digging out the best stories and liaising with senior level personnel and high-profile public sector leaders to bring great content to readers.
He has written books, blogs, white papers, features, profile, case studies and more. He has chaired round tables and brought high quality coverage online to a diverse platforms as electronic media has evolved. He continues to be motivated to find the stories and subjects that matter most to readers and ensure they deliver value every time.
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