The Shift
The Old Way: Screen Out Anyone With a Past
Traditional hiring is designed to eliminate risk by eliminating people. Background checks disqualify 70+ million Americans with criminal records.
- 70+ million Americans have criminal records affecting employment
- Resume gaps from addiction, caregiving, or illness raise red flags
- Implicit bias filters out capable workers
- High turnover costs employers billions annually
The New Way: First Come, First Served
Open Hiring eliminates all pre-employment screening. When a position opens, the next person on the waiting list gets it. No interviews, background checks, or resumes.
- Zero pre-employment screening
- Paid apprenticeship with wraparound support
- Childcare, mental health, housing assistance
- 100% of profits reinvested in community
The Story
Founded in 1982 by Bernie Glassman, a Zen Buddhist monk who saw severe unemployment in Yonkers, NY and believed everyone deserves a chance.
Greyston Bakery is a social enterprise that uses Open Hiring to provide employment to anyone who wants to work.
Proof Points
Pounds of brownies supplied to Ben & Jerry's
Vs. 42% national average for food manufacturing
Jobs filled via Open Hiring as model spreads
Economic impact if 40,000 jobs filled by 2030
Deep Dive
Innovation
Open Hiring works because traditional screening doesn't predict job success. Greyston discovered willingness to work matters more than background. The apprenticeship is where real evaluation happens.
Circular Model
The economics work: 28% of new hires qualify for federal Work Opportunity Tax Credits (~$2,300/hire). Lower turnover (33% vs 42%) reduces replacement costs significantly.
Community Impact
Greyston Foundation reinvests 100% of bakery profits into Yonkers—affordable housing, childcare, community gardens. The ripple effects stabilize families and neighborhoods.
Business Results
Revenue has grown from $8.4M (2011) to $10M+ annually. The Body Shop, Whole Foods, and others have adopted variations of Open Hiring.
Key Takeaway
The hiring process itself creates the 'unemployable.' When you remove the barriers, you find capable workers everywhere.
Founder Pathway
Bakery equipment and initial inventory ~$500K-$1M; Open Hiring itself is free to implement
Best for mission-driven founders in industries with trainable entry-level roles