Employment with a Criminal Record

Over 11 million people in England and Wales have a criminal record, yet over a quarter of employers wouldn’t consider hiring someone with a conviction. Listen to this collection to learn more about those working to counter this narrative.

IN CONVERSATION WITH … NATASHA FINLAYSON, August 2022

In this episode Edwina speaks to Natasha Finlayson, Chief Executive of Working Chance. Working Chance is the UK's only employment charity solely for women with convictions. In this episode Natasha explains the support they provide to women and the impressive outcomes they achieve, including 90% of women using their employment service securing a job.

Natasha also outlines recent research by Working Chance which shows just how much stigma still exists from employers towards people with past convictions, and their important work to tackle this.You can find out more about Working Chance here: www.workingchance.org

Follow Working Chance on Twitter @WorkingChance

IN CONVERSATION ABOUT… FAIR CRIMINAL RECORDS CHECKS…WITH SIR RICHARD BRANSON AND PAULA HARRIOTT, September 2022

In this episode, Edwina focuses on the UK’s criminal record system. She speaks to two supporters of the Fair Checks campaign led by Transform Justice and Unlock, which is calling for a fresh start to the UK’s outdated criminal records system.

Sir Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin, discusses why no one should be judged by their worst moment, and the commitment of Virgin companies around the world to offering employment opportunities for those with a criminal record. As well as building Virgin from the ground up, Richard has spent his life speaking up globally about the issues he is passionate about, including ending the failed war on drugs, and abolishing the death penalty.

Paula Harriott, Head of Prisoner Involvement at Prison Reform Trust then speaks from first-hand experience about the adverse impact excessive criminal record checks can have, and why she supports the Fair Checks campaign. Paula has huge insight into the impact current legislation has on the ground through her work supporting those with experience of prison to have their voices heard, including through the national Prisoner Policy Network.

To find out more about the Fair Checks Campaign visit www.fairchecks.org.uk.

IN CONVERSATION WITH … JAMES TIMPSON OBE, July 2020

Edwina Grosvenor talks to James Timpson OBE, Chair of Prison Reform Trust and Chief Executive of Timpson, a successful UK-wide family run business. In this wide-ranging conversation, we find out how the ethos of Timpson’s came about, which today translates to 1 in 9.5 of Timpson staff being recruited from UK prisons. James shares his observations of prison leadership over the last few years and different cultures within UK prisons. James discusses his approach recruitment and what he has learnt along the way, including the importance of supporting colleagues to be the best they can be.

@JamesTCobbler

IN CONVERSATION WITH … CHRISTOPHER STACEY, JUly 2020

Edwina talks with Christopher Stacey, former Co-director of Unlock. They discuss how people often face stigma and obstacles because of their criminal record - long after they have served their sentence. In the UK 1 in 6 people have criminal records - Chris explains how the current system of criminal record checks isn’t fit for purpose with information shared with potential employers that isn’t relevant; and wide-spread employment practices are too often grounded in prejudice, causing significant harm to individuals trying to get on with their lives.

@unlockcharity and #FairChecks 

Resources from Unlock

Practical guidance for employers on dealing with criminal record checks Guidelines on recruiting people with convictions