This month, we’re delighted to shine a spotlight on Fay from HR Seekers, a long-time supporter of Success Works. As a former mentor and ongoing advocate for our mission, Fay has generously launched a September Giving Month campaign, donating 1% of all HR Seekers revenue received throughout September to Success Works. We sat down with Fay to learn more about her connection to our work, why this cause matters to her, and the impact she hopes this initiative will create.
SWP: You have been connected with Success Works for several years as a mentor and supporter. What first drew you to the organisation and its mission?
FAY: “I used to work for a company where they asked for criminal records for every employee. It took me a while to question why, until I did, and the answer was, “We’ve always done it, so we will continue to do so.”
I saw candidates embarrassed and dropping out of the process because of minor charges. The recruitment system I was in was completely biased. Once someone had a criminal record, it was impossible to move forward because nobody knew what to do with that information.
Years later, I came across SuccessWorks, and everything just made sense to me. Working with Women’s, helping to change a biased recruitment system, understanding and educating employers, giving back… check, check, check, and check. All in one basket
Through your mentoring experience, what have you learned about the barriers women with lived experience of the criminal legal system face when seeking employment?
I could see how they felt and how their confidence had been broken. It is hard enough to find a job, so imagine having even more barriers in place. I can now see how invasive a background check is and how much it exposes someone.”
SWP: Can you share a memorable moment or story from your involvement with Success Works that has stayed with you?
FAY: “Every candidate that gets a job is a memorable moment. It gives me so much joy to open our newsletter and see their stories. Meeting the team in person and connecting with incredible individuals, whether mentors or candidates, will stay with me forever.”
SWP: This September, HR Seekers is donating 1% of all revenue received to Success Works. What inspired you to launch this campaign?
FAY: “Working in HR and Recruitment is my mission. I want to educate leaders on how we can do better. How can we be more inclusive? How can we approach people with empathy and without judgment?
There was no better partner than SuccessWorks to start giving back (now as a business).”
SWP: As someone who works closely with employers, what role do you think businesses can play in creating more inclusive employment opportunities for women rebuilding their lives?
FAY: “I am not against having a background check, but you should be questioning the purpose of having one. You might consider it for specific roles, but is it necessary for every role to have a background check? Why is that?
There is a place and a role for checking someone’s criminal record, and we should consider whether we are just doing things because they have always been done that way, or if it is time to change our approach.
By employing people with criminal records, you could potentially be helping them avoid going back down the same path.”
SWP: Success Works focuses on helping employers see a woman’s skills and potential, not her record. Why do you think this message is so important?
FAY: “Because what we should always be looking for is skills and potential. It doesn’t matter a person’s gender, race, religion, or whether they have a criminal record or not.
As leaders, we should be constantly checking that we are not being biased during the recruitment process.”
SWP: Have your experiences with Success Works influenced the way you think about recruitment, workforce inclusion, or second-chance employment opportunities? If so, how?
FAY: “One important lesson I learned is that we are not only giving them a job. We are giving them a chance to reunite with their children, to learn from their experiences, and to move on from the mistakes they made in the past.
I believe that by employing people with a criminal record, we are contributing to a society with less crime.”
SWP: What would you say to other business owners or professionals who are considering supporting a cause they care about but are unsure where to start?
FAY: “If you find a cause that aligns with your values, you would be surprised by the connections you will make, both personally and professionally.”
SWP: Is there anything else you’d like our community to know about HR Seekers, the campaign, or why supporting Success Works matters to you?
FAY: “I started HR Seekers because I am passionate about helping clients create a culture that is sustainable. I believe we can’t always wear all the hats as business owners, and some things just make more sense to be outsourced (a lesson learned as a business owner too).
If you are looking to expand your team, create a better workplace culture, improve performance, or just have some tricky HR questions to answer, feel free to get in touch.By working with HR Seekers, you can be sure that I will always be able to give back to SuccessWorks.”
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