How hard is it to get a job when you have got a criminal record?

Question

My boyfriend has recently got himself a criminal record, he was self employed but now looking for another job. But finding hard because he has a criminal record.....what would happen if he didnt declare that he had a criminal record? Obviously he would get sacked i know but do all companies check? Any advise or suggestions would be great!!!!

He has a criminal record for theft.

Answer 1

I think if he failed to declare he would possibly be procescuted...;

Answer 2

Its very tough to get a good job cause I'm a Masters in ICT student and even our syllabus has newly incorporated the steps to recruiting people with Criminal Records.

When the employee finds a record, he / she may mostly not like to absorb the person into a job.

And dont hide it cause, there's a new law that a company can sue its employee when they hide their criminal offence.

Let me suggest you a good solution. When applying, include the criminal records as well and during the interview, impress the interviewer by taking advantage on the skills, your boyfriend possesses. That is, if he's an expert in IT, let him demonstrate the IT Skills very much whereas at that point, his criminal records will not interfere but anyway, the employer will put a strict record of Criminal offence.

Also, inform the employer that when in employment, no criminal offence will be performed. This makes the emploer, feel confident.

Good Luck on the Journey For you and Your BoyFriend

BYE

Answer 3

It would depend on the criminal record that he has and the type of job he is seeking. If he is working in an environment where there are vulnerable people, like children or elderly, then the background checks are vigorous and extensive. They will apply to the Criminal Records Bureau for a full check on him going back over all his working life, certainly, and depending on his age, his school/college life too so they are bound to turn up his conviction. Lying about it or just conveniently missing it off maybe worse than declaring it.

If it is for something more minor and he isn't working in a field involving vulnerable people, then he should still declare it and express that it was a one-off, a stupid mistake, whatever and perhaps it won't matter as much.

Does he have a person who is responsible for his re-settlement? A Probation Officer or someone like that? They could give him impartial advice about what and how to declare his conviction and maybe even find employers willing to give someone a second chance.

Honesty is usually the best policy. They will always find out about it in the end and then they will be hard on him for not telling them the truth in the first place.

Answer 4

If he doesn't declare his conviction, then if he is discovered to have lied, yes, he will most likely get the sack. Unless, however, the job is one where the have to check (for example in health, education, social work, etc) the employer probably can't check.

I work with offenders every day, and most of them manage to obtain employment even after disclosing their record. It depends, however, on what the nature of the offence and the employment is. Most retail companies aren't going to give any breaks to a shop-lifter, for example!

The best way to handle it is to be completely upfront. Don't brush it under the carpet. Explain to the potential employer what the circumstances of the offence were, what you have learnt from it, and how you are different now. Lying about it will just confirm what a theft conviction already implies: that your b/f is a dishonest person. Employers are looking for trustworthiness.

Answer 5

I guess it depends on what his criminal record is for. If he told the would be employer that he has this record but he is willing to work very hard at showing that he can be trusted to work then he may be given a chance. Usually people with criminal records have displayed that they cannot be trusted and your boyfriend has to show that this is not the case for him. It may prove useful to have some letters of reference from individuals that know your boyfriend and can vouch for the fact that yes he has this record but this has made him more aware that he needs to show others that he can be a trusted employee and that he wants to turn his life around. A lawyer, a doctor, a trusted person in the community, even a policeman would be good people to contact to ask for a letter of reference that your boyfriend could include in his job application form. These can be copies of letters but should contain up to date information and phone numbers that can be called so that the employer can contact them by phone or in person to ask about the trustworthiness of your friend. I hope this advice helps to land him a good job where he can again be achieving his potential while having gainful employment with a fair employer.

Answer 6

Without knowing more about his record and the kind of work he is looking for, it is hard to give a realistic answer. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act can be helpful, as it wipes the record clean after a certain number of years http://www.lawontheweb.co.uk/rehabact.htm, but it doesn't apply to some kinds of employment. For the police, for example, even spent convictions count against you. Sometimes employers find that the terms of their insurance cover rule out employing people with criminal records. It is very risky to lie about convictions to employers, as not only could a person be sacked, but he might find himself being prosecuted for obtaining pecuniary advantage by deception under the Theft Act. Perhaps he could sign on for some form of temporary work and perhaps ease his way into the job market by displaying his efficiency and abilities as a worker, rather than apply for jobs from outside, where all the cards are going to be stacked against him. Alternatively, he could consider offering his services as a volunteer in the hope that perhaps this could give him an entry into the job market. http://www.volunteering.org.uk:81/NR/rdonlyres/F2592224-AC4A-4963-B7ED-3A5BD0BBA26C/0/nacro_publication06.pdf

Answer 7

Well, it depends upon what the offense was for. I fit was for theft, I wouldn't suggest a cash handling job or one in sales. If was a drug offense, I would steer clear of a pharmacy. Most employers do not check unless they are a big company with lots of money and a rigorous HR department. If he is on probation/parole he want to speak with his p/o and see what sort of programs they have available for employment training. He may also want to check within the court system itself. Often times the county will offer opportunities to those that are not violent offenders.

Answer 8

It shouldn't be too difficult - but I think it depends on the view of the person who Interviews him for the job. It would also probably depend on the crime that was committed.
It shouldn't really matter as long as he's got the relevant qualities they're looking for.

It's is best if he's upfront and honest to begin with - the law has been changed so he should apply for jobs with companies who have a fair & just recruitment policy not to discriminate against anyone regardless of who they are and what they've done.

Good Luck with the job hunting.

Answer 9

It depends on what form of Job you're looking at.
Staff such as Teachers etc will have incredibly strict criminal background checks.

Although, some job's will not need to see any past practicies (education, criminal records).

Answer 10

Although many employers put up a sign saying that they are equal opportunity employers, the reality of it is, it is very hard to get employment, even if you DON'T have a criminal record. It is all in who you know.

Answer 11

How about some additional details like what the "criminal record" is frm. If it's a shoplifting, one thing. If is a sex crime against a child, you get the point. What did he do?