Justice Champion Spotlight: U.S. Chamber of Commerce
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business organization. Their members range from the small businesses and chambers of commerce across the country that support their communities, to the leading industry associations and global corporations that innovate and solve for the world’s challenges, to the emerging and fast-growing industries that are shaping the future.
Since their founding, the Chamber has advocated for policies that help businesses create jobs and grow our economy. They work to inform their members and the public with timely policy analysis and legal advice, facilitate connections between leaders in business and government, and equip them with tools and resources to help them succeed.
We had the opportunity to interview Stephanie Ferguson Melhorn, the Chamber’s Executive Director of Workforce & International Labor Policy, about the important role that businesses of all sizes can play in advancing policy solutions that make the criminal justice system fairer and the workforce stronger.
Read on to discover Stephanie’s insights and recommended resources to get involved.
Can you tell us a bit about your work with businesses to support public policy that strengthens the workforce?
In my role at the Chamber, I collaborate closely with businesses across various industries to address the challenges they face in hiring the talent needed to fill open roles. Our members consistently report difficulties in recruiting the workforce they need to grow, compete, and thrive.
In response, the Chamber launched the America Works Initiative to tackle the nation’s worker shortage. Through this initiative, we champion and educate businesses and policy makers on policies that will strengthen the workforce and help business attract and retain talent.
Part of your work involves advancing policies that remove barriers to work, especially for people with criminal records. Why do you think businesses — of all sizes — are uniquely positioned to influence and drive these kinds of reforms forward?
Businesses possess a deep understanding of the complexities involved in recruiting, hiring, and managing employees from diverse backgrounds. Leveraging this firsthand experience, the business community can advocate for policies that effectively address employment barriers. By implementing Second Chance Hiring practices, businesses set powerful examples, driving meaningful reforms that benefit both the economy and society.
You’ve touched on the powerful role businesses can play in driving change — but there are clear benefits for them too. What have you seen companies gain by using their platforms to support policy reforms that make the workforce fairer?
Businesses that champion and adopt policies to remove workforce barriers and hire from often overlooked talent pools experience significant benefits. Research shows that justice-impacted individuals perform as well, if not better, than their non-justice-impacted peers. Expanding talent pools helps businesses navigate the current worker shortage. Additionally, employment is a key factor in reducing recidivism, leading to better outcomes for individuals and communities. Supporting Second Chance Hiring is not only the right thing to do but also a smart business strategy.
Based on the U.S. Chamber’s research, which specific policies have proven most effective at help strengthening the workforce, addressing labor shortages, and supporting communities?
The Chamber has supported a number of bills aimed at strengthening the workforce and removing barriers to entry, such as initiatives to make child care more affordable and accessible and expanding workforce development opportunities.
Notably, we’ve backed legislation like the First Step Act of 2018, Clean Slate Act of 2021, the Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2024, and A New Start Act of 2025. These bills provide crucial resources and support to formerly incarcerated individuals, helping them reintegrate into society and become competitive in the workforce.
Have you seen bipartisan support for these types of reforms? Why do you think policies that expand access to job opportunities for workers with a criminal record are something both sides of the aisle can get behind?
Absolutely! Second-chance initiatives enjoy broad bipartisan support. The Second Chance Reauthorization Act is a prime example. This legislation offers educational resources, transitional housing resources, mental and behavioral health support, and more for individuals exiting incarceration.
The Chamber hosted a Common Grounds panel in September 2024 with Representatives Carol Miller (R-WV-1) and Danny Davis (D-IL-7) to discuss this bill. Representatives Miller and Davis highlighted a shared passion for people and belief in second chances. Policy makers from both sides of the aisle recognize how important it is to families, communities, and employers to reinvest these individuals to help them access employment opportunities and reduce recidivism rates.
Given April was recently Second Chance Month, can you share how the U.S. Chamber is supporting Second Chance Hiring — and why it’s a smart strategy for businesses today?
The Chamber is proud to support Second Chance Hiring year-round. We work with Congress to advance legislation that will promote Second Chance Hiring and produce valuable content on our website to inform audiences about the importance of this talent acquisition strategy.
This includes a data deep dive on Second Chance Hiring, an employer guide to tax credits and federal bonds, and our Second Chance Hiring Guide. This state-by-state resource connects businesses with organizations across the nation that help prepare formerly incarcerated talent by providing training, credentialling, wraparound support, and job placement services.
For businesses that want to get more involved in supporting fairer workforce policies — what’s a good place to start?
Business should tap into their state and local chambers as well as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce! The U.S. Chamber offer numerous resources, like the Second Chance Hiring Guide and tax credit guide, to help businesses get started. With input from businesses, we will continue advocating for pro-business, pro-workforce policies and provide guidance and support to those looking to make a positive impact.
Businesses wanting to take the first step in implementing a Second Chance Hiring program or want to improve their own but don’t know where to start, are encouraged to come to the Chamber’s annual Second Chance Hiring Forum. These events offer great opportunities for businesses to learn best practices from each other and communicate specific needs to policy makers who hold the pen to Second Chance Hiring policies.
What resources or research from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce are available to help businesses evaluate labor force trends and explore workforce solutions — especially those related to justice-impacted talent?
The Chamber offers several resources to help businesses evaluate our labor force trends and explore solutions.
Our America Works Data Center provides the latest national labor market numbers and insights into the state of our labor force nationally, statewide, and across industries. We also have content that delves into the most impacted states and industries, and articles that examine how women, veterans, Americans with disabilities, and justice-impacted individuals are affected by the current labor market.
These resources and more can be viewed on our America Works Initiative webpage.
If you’re a business leader who is interested in learning more about using your voice to support workforce-boosting justice reform, please feel free to reach out to RBIJ’s Policy & Advocacy team at policy@rbij.org or visit our page to learn more — we’d love to connect!
Together, we can champion meaningful policy solutions that open up new talent pipelines, turn sidelined job seekers into thriving employees, and build a more just and inclusive workforce.