A criminal record can severely impact a person’s employment prospects. In time, you can leave your past behind, but while job searching, a criminal record may have a detrimental effect on your ability to get the job you want. In the UK and Australia most convictions are considered ‘spent’ after 4 years, and you should not be required to divulge your criminal record to an employer. However, that is not the case in the U.S.
Restricted Job Pool
Having a criminal background may prevent you from being considered for certain types of employment. Depending on the nature of your criminal conviction and the work that you are applying for, you might not be able to obtain a job in a security position, in education, or in certain kinds of medical jobs. Many employers require a background check, and someone with a criminal record might not be interviewed for a job in these occupations. You might have to accept an entry-level position and work your way up the ladder to better jobs if employers are aware of your criminal past.
Employment Incentives
Some companies receive financial incentives or benefits when they hire ex-convicts. This can result in more jobs being available in certain industries where you might not want to work. However, if that’s where the job openings are, you may end up applying to those companies and building your career from that position. Raises and promotions are often available to employees with a criminal record who prove to be valuable workers in the companies that hire them. This could be considered by some to be a form of discrimination, albeit with positive effects, due to being hired, retained, and promoted based in part on your criminal past.
Security Restrictions
When being considered or hired for certain jobs, security factors may be implemented. For example, you might need to serve a longer initial probation period than other employees. You could be restricted from some areas of the company or denied access to aspects like finances or vulnerable populations like children, the elderly, or those with mental health issues. Even though you have served time for your past crime, in some industries and job positions, you will continue to pay the price for your previous illicit conduct unless or until you are able to arrange a criminal record expungement that wipes your public record clean from past legal misdeeds and punishment. For more information, talk to a lawyer who understands criminal records.
Wary Coworkers
Finally, although this may not prevent you from getting hired, the reactions of your coworkers can have a detrimental effect on your career. Colleagues who are aware of your criminal background may be standoffish and uninclined to be friendly or helpful. Although your background should be private, people sometimes find out things that may lead to discriminatory behavior. If you are discriminated against in your job, you may want to reach out to HR or an attorney who specializes in anti-discrimination law.
Find out what you can do to clear your criminal record and protect your future. In 2018, ex-convicts had a 27% unemployment rate, and these numbers have only increased during the current pandemic crisis. For this reason, it is important for those with criminal records to know how to improve their job prospects. Be aware that you are not necessarily legally obligated to disclose past crimes to potential employers, depending on the crime and how long ago it was committed, and be sure to look into a criminal record expungement.
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