How A Criminal Conviction Can Impact Employment Opportunities

If you are facing criminal charges, you are likely worried about spending time in jail or paying huge fines. However, these are not the only things you should be concerned about. A conviction can have far-reaching consequences that affect everything. One thing that can significantly suffer if you are convicted of a crime is your employability. A criminal record can affect your ability to gain initial or new employment. Below, we discuss why some employers do not hire people with criminal records and some of the things employers consider when deciding whether to hire people with criminal records.

Why Employers Do Not Hire People With Criminal Records

When applying for a job, you may be required to disclose any criminal convictions you have on your job application. An employer may also conduct a background check to check any criminal records. If you state on the application that you have a criminal record or the results of the background check show that you have a criminal record, it could result in you being disqualified.

So, why do employers refuse to hire people with criminal records? According to Cornell University, one of the most common reasons employers do not hire people with criminal records is because they view an applicant with a criminal record as a security risk. An employer may take your past criminal behavior to mean you will behave the same way at work. An employer may refuse to hire you because they are concerned about you creating problems on the job or because they are worried about the potential for legal liability or negative publicity. Another common reason why employers refuse to hire people with criminal records is because they believe people with criminal records are unreliable. Additionally, employers do not hire people with criminal records because they believe such people will result in underperformance.

Things Employers Consider When Determining Whether To Hire People With Criminal Records

When assessing applications from people with prior convictions, employers look at several things before deciding whether or not to hire the applicant. The following are a few of the factors employers consider when deciding whether to hire people with criminal records;

• The type of crime: Some employers may be willing to hire people who were convicted of certain types of offenses. For example, an employer may not have an issue with someone who was convicted of a non-violent or minor crime. On the other hand, they may have a problem with someone who was convicted of a violent crime or a crime related to fraud or theft.
• Whether the offense is related to the job: Some employers are willing to disregard a crime that has no direct relationship with the job duties.
• When the crime happened: An employer may be willing to disregard a criminal offense if it occurred a long time ago.
• The individual’s level of rehabilitation and remorse: If an applicant shows deep regret for the wrong they committed and has done something to tackle the issue that resulted in them being convicted, an employer may be willing to overlook the criminal record.

Contact an NYC Criminal Defense Attorney

If you are facing criminal charges and need help developing a defense strategy that can increase your chances of avoiding a conviction, contact our skilled and dedicated NYC criminal defense attorney, Mark I. Cohen, Esq.