Would you employe somebody with a criminal record?

woofercooker

woofercooker

woofercooker

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A guy came for an interview today for a job where i work, The manager that interviewed him was telling us how he told him he had a criminal record for various thefts The manager was basically laughing and no way going to give him the job. It got me thinking i personally would be put off big time employing somebody with a history of theft. But what if the person genuinely has changed their lives and just wants a chance but can't get one? part of me thinks they got them selves in that position but at the same time don't we all deserve a second chance? i can't imagine anywhere employing somebody like that so not surprised if lots of them go back to doing crime.
 
The problem is, how do you know for sure they've changed? With all the candidates to choose from in most jobs there's no real need to pick that person.
 
There are a lot of jobs that you can't get (e.g. finance sector) if you aren't considered to be a "fit and proper" person. The Catch 22 is how to they ever get back on the straight and narrow if they can't get a decent job?
 
Not in my line of work. There was somebody years ago who lied on their application and passed the interview, on their second day at work the report came back from internal governance showing that he had a conviction for theft.

He was frog marched from the building there and then.

Can people reform? Yes, of course. There would have been a punishment attached to the conviction in any case. I can see it being an issue for a lot of employers however. It would depend on your line of work too in some respects.
 
I currently employ a sparky who was arrested for theft. The item was a food product when he was down on his luck and couldn't eat.

I would imagine it to be pretty obvious when someone has reformed or not.
 
I used to work with a guy who was a heroin addict for 4 years. He was the most stable person I have ever met I think. Where you would expect him to be a bit unpredictable or such like, he was the opposite. Very deep thinker but a realy good team player, it was like he was a football manager and knew how to handle all sorts of people from young people in the company to exec level.

No one knew at the company about his past, he had convictions for theft and robbery when he was a bad head, he stole from his gf, his parents all sorts.

He was telling me how he found himself sitting under a bridge after he had scored one day and before he shot up, he said to himself, this is it, last one (which millions have said) he enjoyed his last bag and then completely turned his life around. Luckily got a decent job and worked his way up from being an office admin, no CRB check as it wasn't necessary, got a flat and got on with a better life.

He is married, steady job (still same company) and earns a decent wedge of mid 30's a year. So in answer to the question, yes I would but they would only get one chance, I think people deserve one chance if they are willing to change.
 
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I work with a former heroin addict. That was years ago, and now he is a normal person.

I would definitely give people a second chance if it was up to me, but they'd have to be ready to discuss it and be upfront about it. Someone might get a conviction for self defence for example.

Then again if it was a frauder or something I'd want to have maaaany years in between before employing.
 
Depends on the crime and their resume I guess. I personally wouldn't employ a peado for example but I'd probably overlook something minor like shoplifting.
 
Context of job area and types of convictions taken into consideration, some deserve a second chance.

I read somewhere that some firms will even turn down prospective employees with bad credit history so it's got to be tough out there if you have convictions.
 
Yes I would. Besides the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act protects people whose sentence has been completed and are thought to be rehabilitated after a specified length of time.
 
Biohazard said:
Not in my line of work. There was somebody years ago who lied on their application and passed the interview, on their second day at work the report came back from internal governance showing that he had a conviction for theft.
Click to expand...

He was employed before the report came back? Wtf!? :confused:
 
It also has to be done with caution though, it's a **** way to think at first but say you ran a pub and employed an "ex" thief and then you got robbed blind one night, you would have to kind of take the hit and put it down to a life experience.
 
Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, covers this for you

with all the legislation put in place to protect the vulnerable, etc, etc

personaly would I employ someone who I believed was making a good go of it, and turning their life around?

Yes, and if they let me down they would be out,

but I would then still give another a chance, we just cant give up on people who need another chance, for me its just immoral.
 
"Rehabilitation of Offenders Act" This is a good thing .. from 13 to 23 I was travelling up the ladder of career criminal from cautions to doing time for all sorts of offences. Got married at 24 and been a good lad ever since.

Personally glad there's people out there who employ people with criminal records.

If not I'd be out of a job, living on the state and probably off the rails to make ends meet. As it is now I help people live better lives and I have extremely good job satisfaction.
 
Energize said:
He was employed before the report came back? Wtf!? :confused:
Click to expand...

My first job was in a school; I accepted the job and filled out the CRB form the next day. I was working there for six weeks or so before the results were sent back to the school. This is not a rare occurrence... :o
 
I have criminal damage on my record and my employers knew about it and didn't mind. Not been in trouble since except for speeding.

Just adding on really.. I told them about it and what happened and it was totally out of character so it was okay.

Looking for another job now though either going onto steelworks or onto the national rail network if all goes well :)
 
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