Second chances benefit the workplace.

According to research from the SHRM Foundation, 85 percent of human resource (HR) professionals and 81 percent of business leaders report that individuals with criminal records perform the same as, or better than, employees without criminal records.

Furthermore, 82 percent of managers and 67 percent of HR professionals report that the value second chance employees bring to their organization is as high as, or higher than, that of workers without records.

On balance, second chance hires are highly loyal and productive employees.

SHRM Foundation research reveals that 66 percent of employees would be proud to work for an organization that offered training, guidance or mentorship opportunities to people with criminal records to facilitate their return to work. What’s more, many companies that have changed their culture to ensure second chance employees can succeed are finding that their entire workforce is now more loyal and engaged. Improved employee loyalty means lower turnover and higher-quality outputs, both of which lead to stronger company performance.

Failing to consider second chance employment practices means companies are missing out on highly valuable employees. As the business landscape evolves, second chance employees offer a means for companies to tackle labor shortages and enhance overall performance.