Fair Chance vs. Second Chance: Why Honest Jobs Advocates for Fairness

When discussing employment opportunities for justice-involved individuals, two common terms arise: "Fair Chance" and "Second Chance." While both concepts are rooted in the idea of providing opportunities for those who have been impacted by the criminal legal system, Honest Jobs intentionally uses "Fair Chance" over "Second Chance." Here’s why.

What’s the Difference?

Second Chance: A Well-Intended but Misleading Phrase

The term "Second Chance" suggests that justice-involved individuals have already been given a first chance and failed. It implies that employers are generously granting them another opportunity out of goodwill or charity. While well-intentioned, this language subtly reinforces a stigma that can be counterproductive to fostering truly equitable hiring practices.

Many individuals with criminal records never had a "first chance" due to systemic barriers like poverty, racial disparities, and limited access to quality education and employment. Referring to employment as a "second chance" can inadvertently overlook these deeper issues and suggest that individuals are being given a favor rather than a fair shot.

Fair Chance: A Level Playing Field for All

By contrast, "Fair Chance" shifts the focus from charity to equity. It emphasizes that all job seekers, including those with records, deserve to be evaluated based on their skills, experience, and qualifications, not just their past. Fair chance hiring acknowledges that justice-involved individuals are often unfairly excluded from job opportunities due to biases, rather than a lack of capability or motivation.

Fair chance hiring is about ensuring that the hiring process is just, inclusive, and free from unnecessary barriers. It doesn’t mean overlooking a candidate’s background, it means considering it fairly within the full context of their qualifications, growth, and potential.

Why Honest Jobs Stands by Fair Chance Hiring

At Honest Jobs, we advocate for fair chance hiring because it aligns with our mission to remove barriers and create a more inclusive workforce. We believe:

• Employment should be based on the candidate's potential, not their past mistakes.

• Language shapes perception, and calling it a “fair chance” reinforces the idea of equitable treatment rather than an act of charity.

• Companies benefit from fair chance hiring. It’s a smart business decision that broadens the talent pool and increases diversity, rather than just a goodwill initiative.

Join the Movement for Fair Chance Hiring

If you're an employer, consider adopting fair chance hiring practices to create a more just and inclusive workforce. If you're a job seeker, know that you are not asking for a favor...you are asking for fairness.

Together, we can shift the narrative and build a future where everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed, not because they were "given" a second chance, but because they earned a fair one.