More information needed on recruiting ex-offenders
Employment Law & HR update - 17/05/2011
According to new research from Business in the Community (BITC),
businesses want more information on recruiting ex-offenders.
The report, entitled 'What’s the Risk? Employing Young Adults
with Criminal Convictions,' revealed that several large UK
employers - such as Lend Lease and Marks & Spencers – felt
there was not adequate knowledge or understanding about employing
offenders.
Less than two in ten UK firms have knowingly taken on
ex-offenders, according to Working Links, although nine out of ten
state that, in theory, they are open to doing so.
BITC revealed that this could be due in part to the lack of
advice programmes and incentives to encourage employers to take on
ex-offenders.
Campaign Manager for Reducing Re-offending at Business in the
Community, Edwina Hughes, said, “We are delighted that the
Government has officially recognised the vital role employers play
in reducing re-offending rates. Clearly there is a lot of excellent
work already taking place amongst UK employers but at the moment
these are isolated pockets of success.
“Businesses need encouragement and support to share their
experiences on how to work safely and constructively with young
adults who have been in trouble with the law,” she added.