The 2022 State of the Worker Report reveals a significant shift in workforce dynamics, with nearly 7 in 10 US workers living paycheck to paycheck and 48% having lost an opportunity due to a criminal record. The report emphasizes that businesses must rethink their hiring and retention strategies to support employees' fundamental needs, particularly financial stability. With 64% of workers stressed about their finances and 68% living paycheck-to-paycheck, even high-income earners are affected. To address this, companies should adopt pay strategies that prioritize worker financial health, streamline hiring processes, and remove bias from background checks. The report highlights the need for businesses to become more candidate-centric, moving beyond traditional approaches to build a truly equitable operation.