Launch employer and job-seeker outreach around the Fair Chance Hiring

Lead agency: Office of Labor Standards Enforcement and Enforcement

Population of focus (if applicable): people with previous justice involvement

SIM intercept: 4-5

Summary of planned action: 

Through contract amendments, develop and implement an action plan to raise awareness of the California Fair Chance Act (FCA) of 2018 among local employers and help job seekers with prior convictions to know and assert their rights under the law.  Include conducting symposiums for employers, facilitating “Know Your Rights” training sessions, and developing outreach materials and resources with accessible information for employers and justice involved individuals. 

Actions taken:

  • On August 27, 2024, the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved the enactment of a local ordinance that would authorize the Office of Labor Standards and Enforcement (OLSE) to reduce barriers to employment by conducting investigations regarding allegations of violations of the San Diego County Fair Chance Ordinance (FCO), provide educational outreach services to businesses in the unincorporated area, and improve enforcement by introducing penalties for Ordinance violators.  

  • Since 2021, OLSE has provided multilingual outreach and education in collaboration with justice-focused employment partners. Through a contract with the Shaw Law Group, OLSE launched a six-part training series covering the Fair Chance hiring requirements, common barriers faced by justice-involved workers, and frequently asked questions. To date, 604 employers have participated in Fair Chance Act and Ordinance trainings, supported by easy-to-understand outreach materials provided in English and Spanish.  These efforts continue to strengthen employer compliance while expanding fair-chance opportunities across the region.

  • To date, OLSE has hosted more than 552 “Know Your Rights” community seminars for justice-involved adults and transitional-age youth. These sessions have reached an estimated 1,009 incarcerated people at the J. Donovan Prison, Las Colinas, and East Mesa reentry facilities through job fairs and training sessions. Since 2021, OLSE has also co-hosted four job fairs connecting people with justice involvement to employers who are open to hiring individuals with histories of incarceration.  

  • OLSE hired a full-time Business Outreach Coordinator who led eight employer-focused training courses in 2025.

  • OLSE added Fair Chance hiring information to 12 Board Policy-74 trainings. B-74 trainings are for janitorial, landscaping and security employees of County vendors.  These trainings help workers understand fair hiring practices, in order report violations of the Fair Chance hiring process.

  •  OLSE developed a hiring tool kit for employers, including easy-to-use templates, step-by-step compliance checklists, helpful resources, social media content, and website materials. In July 2025, OLSE also released visual guides explaining the Fair Chance Ordinance and related fees.  

  • In collaboration with community-based organizations and businesses support groups, OLSE led door-to-door canvassing in Vista to share Fair Chance hiring information.  OLSE connected with more than 30 businesses to provide resources and answer questions. 

  • Created an online form that workforce and reentry programs, and chambers of commerce, can easily report suspected violations directly to OLSE.  

  • OLSE received nine enforcement inquiries and investigated one, as it fell within County jurisdiction.

Next steps:  

  • Launch more outreach in unincorporated communities (e.g., Spring Valley, Lakeside, Ramona) to increase employer awareness of Fair Chance hiring. 

  • Partner with Office of Evaluation, Performance, and Analytics to create a public-facing Fair Chance data dashboard that shows key metrics such as trainings delivered, employer participation, and reported inquiries.

  • Create a Fair Chance Employer Recognition program to highlight employers who use fair hiring practices (“Fair Chance Champions”) and share their successes and best practices publicly.