Firms urged to take fresh look at employing ex-cons

NEW guidelines to encourage and educate businesses about employing former criminals have been launched in Hertford.

BITC east of of England Chris Williams, centre, at the launch of the code in Hertford last week with representatives of businesses interested in the project

The Right Step Code of Practice, which gives advice on training, management and payment of former offenders, was unveiled by the Business in the Community (BITC) charity at the Apollo Group Learning and Development Centre in Foxholes Business Park last Tuesday.

The project to give ex-cons more work opportunities started in December 2009 and the code of practice aims to strengthen the support for employers.

BITC east of England area manager Chris Williams said: “One of the key messages is that people are more likely to re-offend unless they’ve got work.

“The number of people who re-offend because they’ve got nothing to do is significantly higher than the number who are in work.

“Our programme is about getting businesses to think about these issues.”

The BITC undertook a survey in the East of England, in which it was discovered that 55 per cent of employers would consider interviewing somebody with a criminal record, while 45 per cent would strike them off.

“We’re not saying you’ve got to give the ex-offender a job. We’re saying choose the right person for the job and don’t let the fact that a person has a criminal record be the distinguishing factor.

“Just because somebody has a criminal record doesn’t mean they can’t do the job or won’t do the job.

“They tend to be more loyal and have less sick days because you’re their chance of turning their life around and they don’t want to blow that chance.”

For further information about the scheme, call Mr Williams on 01638 663272 or 07734 990561 or email chris.williams@bitc.org.uk.

Alternatively, visit www.bitc.org.uk.

sara.greek@hertsessexnews.co.uk