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Tough WorkBy Sheree Shatsky As reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 6.3 people are out pounding the pavement for every available job. In such a competitive market, those with a prior criminal conviction find getting a foot in the workforce door seemingly against any odds. Reentry into employment is difficult at best for job seekers with a criminal history. In these days where applicants outnumber jobs, those attempting to put their past in the past through gainful employment find their penal records pitted against stacks of stellar resumes. The tight job market has landed employers high in the hiring crow's nest, in lofty position to select from a treasure trove of candidates. With so many jewels from which to pick and choose, what would prompt an employer to take a chance on a diamond in the rough? Incurred liability is often cited by employers as a reason for refusal to hire a person with a criminal record out of fear the applicant will later commit a new crime; however, a job is an important step towards successful reintegration of an ex-offender back into society. The Welfare to Work Partnership reports about 25 percent of the nation's adult population have a criminal record on file with state or federal governments (and) that most ex-offenders have convictions for nonviolent crimes, like drug offenses. In fact, 71 percent of state prisoners were convicted of nonviolent offenses. Yet such statistics do little to relieve employer anxiety in our litigious society. To assist past this conflict, the Federal Bonding Program is offered as an incentive to promote employ of ex-offenders, considered by advocates as a potential untapped resource. The program assumes potential risk through provision of bonding insurance for employers willing to hire certain high-risk job applicants who may otherwise be denied coverage from commercial bond carriers. (Incredibly, high-risk applicants include persons who have committed no crime, but are red-flagged as an uncertain hire because of a poor credit history). Federal bonds are offered at no cost to employers for the first six months of employment. Employers interested in federal bonds can contact their state bonding coordinator through resources, information and assistance posted at the The National H.I.R.E. Network website. Also, the unemployed in need of immediate assistance can contact their local work force agency and speak to an employment counselor specializing in ex-offender issues. Bonds can be issued without delay to an employer once the applicant begins working. On January 15, Senate President Mike Haridopolos and House Speaker Dean Cannon joined business, education, government and labor leaders at the Florida Jobs Summit to brainstorm how best to rebuild the state's economic prosperity. With 3,073 offenders released from Florida prisons this past August alone, this issue is worth considering. To borrow a few words of inspiration from American educator, Mary MacLeod Bethune, Invest in the human soul. Who knows it might be a diamond in the rough. |
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