Fair Chance Hiring (also known as “Ban the Box”) is a policy and hiring practice designed to reduce barriers to employment for individuals with criminal records by delaying background checks until a later step in the hiring process. This approach prioritizes evaluating a candidate’s skills, experience, and qualifications first, helping promote fairness and reduce systemic bias in hiring decisions. 

For employers, Fair Chance Hiring can expand the available talent pool and support diversity and inclusion goals. However, compliance can be complex, as Fair Chance laws vary by state and city, requiring HR teams responsible for consistency in multi-location hiring to stay informed about local regulations.