White House Announces Fair Chance Business Pledge

Posted: April 14, 2016

The White House issued a press release on April 11 announcing a new initiative – the Fair Chance Business Pledge. According to the announcement, 19 companies pledged to:

• Voice strong support for economic opportunity for all, including the approximately 70 million Americans who have some form of a criminal record.
• Demonstrate an ongoing commitment to take action to reduce barriers to a fair shot at a second chance, including practices like “banning the box” by delaying criminal history questions until later in the hiring process; ensuring that information regarding an applicant’s criminal record is considered in proper context; and engaging in hiring practices that do not unnecessarily place jobs out of reach for those with criminal records.
• Set an example for their peers.

Companies signing the pledge include: American Airlines, Busboys and Poets, The Coca-Cola Company, Facebook, Georgia Pacific, Google, Greyston Bakery, The Hershey Company, The Johns Hopkins Hospital and Health System, Koch Industries, Libra Group, PepsiCo, Prudential, Starbucks, Uber, Under Amour/Plank Industries, Unilever and Xerox. Individuals can read more about each company’s individual pledge by visiting the White House’s press release.