Given the tight US labor market and shortage of workers, some employers have broadened their candidate pools to hire more individuals from marginalized populations. As a result, the increased demand for labor has helped expand job opportunities for previously untapped labor pools such as people with disabilities and the formerly incarcerated. Employers seem to more receptive to capitalizing on the talent from these applicants than they have been in the past. This may indicate long-lasting changes that could lower barriers to enter the workforce as employers address their stigmas against these populations.
See "Labor shortage in US provides job opportunities for overlooked populations ", Martha C. White, CNN Business, September 9, 2022