One Million Jobs Later: the impact of Ban the Box
One Million Jobs Later explores the impact of Ban the Box. This Business in the Community (BITC) campaign calls on employers to remove the criminal conviction tick box from application forms to give people with convictions a fair chance to compete for jobs.
BITC has conducted a survey of over 40 Ban the Box employers to understand its impact Ban the Box. The insights gathered in this report demonstrate the benefits of becoming a Ban the Box employer. It is a simple step every UK employer can take, regardless of size or sector, to open up their roles to millions of people with criminal convictions. Taking the step also demonstrates social value. The report also celebrates that one million jobs are now covered by the campaign, thanks to the growing movement of employers adopting a fair approach to the recruitment of people with criminal convictions.
The report includes:
- an introduction about Ban the Box
- BITC’s Ban the Box survey insights
- impact stories from organisations that have signed up to become a Ban the Box employer.
About Ban the Box
In 2013, BITC launched one of its longest-standing and recognised campaigns, Ban the Box. Back then there were few businesses willing to consider employing people with criminal convictions.
As early adopters of the campaign experienced the benefits of removing the criminal records tick box from the first stage of the application process, and share their experiences, we have seen perceptions shift.
Now, more than one million jobs are covered by the campaign, a sign that employer attitudes are changing. Yet, while Ban the Box is a simple change, too many employers still revert to template recruitment forms, unaware of the barriers these present for the 11.7 million people with convictions¹.
Seven years of campaigning and our survey of Ban the Box employers shows the tangible benefits of removing the criminal conviction tick box. BITC would like to thank all of our Ban the Box employers for adopting an inclusive approach to people with convictions.
Find out more about Ban the Box and BITC’s Employment agenda.
REVIEW YOUR
RECRUITMENT PROCESSES
References
¹ Office for National Statistics (2020)