Secure employment for justice-involved workers

Are you looking for talented, dedicated, enthusiastic employees? Or are you a returning citizen looking for job opportunities to take care of your family, pay your bills, and regain your life outside of incarceration?

Learn about the Federal Bonding Program and how it can benefit you, whether you are part of a business looking to hire employees or an individual looking to get hired.

Businesses looking for workers

The U.S. Department of Labor established the Federal Bonding Program in 1966 to provide Fidelity Bonds for “at-risk,” hard-to-place job seekers. The bonds cover the first six months of employment at no cost to the job applicant or the employer. And since 1966, dishonesty claims have been filed on only 1% of bonds.

Thousands of businesses have used the Federal Bonding Program successfully, in hospitality, retail, construction, transportation, auto repair, manufacturing, healthcare, non-profits, banking, tourism and more.

Businesses receive the FBP bonds free-of-charge as an incentive to hire difficult-to-employ applicants. Each FBP bond has a $5,000 limit with $0 deductible and covers the first six months of a selected individual’s employment.

If issues of dishonesty or fraud arise, employer assets are protected; there are no deductibles, so there are no out-of-pocket expenses should a loss occur.  Bonds can be applied to any job, for any full- or part-time employee, including those hired by temp agencies.

Check out the FBP’s services for employers to learn more about the Federal Bonding Program, and reach out to your state’s Federal Bonding Program Coordinator to get started.  

And learn more about hiring justice-involved workers on CareerOneStop’s Business Center.

Justice-involved job seekers

If you’re in the job market and want a boost for your job applications, the Federal Bonding Program can help. Employers need workers, and with 600,000 returning citizens leaving incarceration each year in the U.S., justice-involved workers represent a major potential workforce.

The FBP can provide fidelity bonding to employers for the first six months of your employment. This provides reassurance to them that their potential risk is covered by up to $5,000, should there be any issues around dishonesty or fraud.  

Learn more about the FBP services for job seekers. You can also get started by reaching out to your state’s Federal Bonding Program Coordinator. The whole process may be handled over the phone, so you won’t need to travel to their office.

And find support and free job search help at your closest American Job Center.

Find more tips and resources for your job search and career on CareerOneStop’s Job Search Help for Ex-Offenders.