FACT: The justice-involved often outperform workers without criminal records.
For people with criminal records, rejection –and fear of rejection – are common experiences. They have been told “no” before – by banks, by potential employers, by colleges and universities. Along the way, many have cultivated resilience, a wellspring of hope, faith, and determination that propels them forward despite the obstacles in their path. Individuals with criminal records are more motivated to perform at work because they have fewer employment options. According to a survey of 1,000 people (including managers), 80% indicated that they valued workers with criminal records as much or more than employees who did not have convictions. According to a 2015 study by Portland State University that compared employees at Dave’s Killer Bread over a three-year-period, people with criminal backgrounds outperformed those without in three categories: attendance, policy, and behavioral violations. Additionally, employees with a background were promoted faster.
This post is an excerpt from Cornell University IRL (Industrial and Labor Relations) School's original post by Timothy McNutt, "9 Myths About Hiring People with Criminal Records"
