45. Should you hire ex offenders? Reed's report is here and the verdict is in! | Alex Head

Reed's Report: Employer Attitudes to Hiring People with Criminal Convictions

Resettling into society after prison is a huge challenge — especially when employers are reluctant to hire people with a criminal record. Too often, talented individuals are overlooked, leaving skills and potential untapped, and making them far more likely to reoffend.

In this episode, we dive into the findings of the latest REED report; "Employer attitudes to employing people with criminal convictions.”, and its findings. The report reveals a concerning trend where one in five employers would not consider a candidate with a conviction at all, and the willingness to hire individuals with criminal records has dropped sharply across various offenses.

We’re joined by Alex Head, the owner and founder of Social Pantry, a leading independent catering company known for its work with prison leavers.

Alex shares her journey from starting a sandwich delivery service as a teenager, to building Social Pantry into a leading employer of prison leavers in the hospitality industry. She provides practical insight into the successes and challenges of this great work, demonstrating how giving people a second chance can lead to a compelling and persuasive workforce.

This is an essential listen for any business leader looking to build a resilient and socially conscious company and challenge the stigma of employing ex-offenders.

Timecodes:

04:18 Social Pantry's business model and success

06:14 Challenges and support for hiring prison leavers

13:09 The role of charities and probation services

23:39 Employment boards and training opportunities

29:58 Empathy and communication in the workplace

34:45 Challenges and benefits of hiring prison leavers

38:31 Addressing employer hesitations

44:06 Success Stories and Future Plans

If you are interested in supporting prison leavers back into employment and joining Social Pantry's working group, please email alex.head@socialpantry.co.uk

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