Second chance hiring: exploring consumer perception of employers who hire individuals with criminal histories

Abstract

Purpose

Many employers express concern over consumer response to employees with criminal histories. However, consumers' responses may be less negative than employers assume. The authors examine consumers' response to organizations that hire employees with criminal histories.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors surveyed participants randomly assigned to one of two conditions: purchasing services from an employer that hires individuals with criminal histories or from an employer whose inclination to hire individuals with criminal histories is unknown. The authors considered four service providers, among which the length of customers' time and involvement with employees varies: a grocery store, restaurant, auto-repair shop, and hotel.

Findings

Participants were no more or less likely to patronize the restaurant, the repair shop, or the grocery store that hired individuals with criminal histories, and no more or less likely to alter their willingness to pay for these services. Consumers were less likely to stay at a hotel that hired employees with criminal histories, but this difference was mitigated when customers were provided with an explanation of the benefits of hiring individuals with criminal histories.

Research limitations/implications

This study highlights the need for further research on perceptions that limit hiring of individuals with criminal histories and other similarly marginalized populations.

Practical implications

This research addresses a common justification – consumer concern – for not hiring individuals with criminal histories.

Social implications

Increased employment improves individual outcomes, such as access to stable housing and food, as well as larger outcomes, such as public safety.

Originality/value

This paper highlights a population often marginalized in the hiring process. The findings challenge a common justification for not hiring individuals with criminal histories.

Citation

Young, N. and Keech, J. (2022), "Second chance hiring: exploring consumer perception of employers who hire individuals with criminal histories", Management Decision, Vol. 60 No. 9, pp. 2389-2408. https://doi.org/10.1108/MD-10-2021-1407