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Employer Incentives for Second Chance Hiring: The Federal Bonding Program (FBP)

Although the Federal Bonding Program is no longer active in Connecticut (as of June 2023), it is still available in many other states and remains a valuable hiring incentive for employers with out-of-state operations. The FBP provides free fidelity bonds that protect employers against potential losses from employee dishonesty (like theft, forgery, or embezzlement) when hiring individuals with barriers to employment.

These bonds are available to cover a range of applicants, including people with criminal records, individuals in recovery from substance use, welfare recipients, those with poor credit histories, and individuals discharged dishonorably from the military. The program is designed to encourage fair hiring by removing a common risk-related barrier for employers.

Since its launch in 1966, the FBP has helped over 50,000 job seekers find employment, with claims filed on only 1% of those bonds. This strong success rate demonstrates that individuals with justice involvement can—and do—thrive in the workplace when given a fair chance. For employers concerned about risk, the FBP offers peace of mind at no cost.

Key Benefits of the FBP:

• • No application for job seekers
  • No approval process, bonds are issued automatically
  • No federal regulations apply to these bonds
  • No follow-up or termination actions needed
  • No deductible if a claim is filed
  • No age limit beyond legal working age