HR background check on employee’s criminal records

[Guest]

I read stories about employees declaring not being convicted or charged in court in their job application form and subsequently HR found out about their criminal records and the company confronted employee on why he/she is not truthful.

 

I know HR can do a google search, but if the case was not being reported in the media, how will HR be able to know? Based on what I know, if HR request for an employee’s criminal records from police, police is not supposed to divulge to them due to confidentiality.

 

Honestly, I have a petty criminal record and was wondering if HR has any means to find out. Any HR or police here knows?

[EasleyLim]

They aren't allowed to divulge the details of the crime but they can confirm or deny whether you have a record or not.

[Guest Partyroller]

You sound exactly like someone I know. Don't worry A, everything's gonna be okay. 

[lovehandle]

petty crime include gentlemen's crime: is still a crime

u should be open (before they check) to clarify since u don't think is a big crime

[Guest]

43 minutes ago, lovehandle said:

petty crime include gentlemen's crime: is still a crime

u should be open (before they check) to clarify since u don't think is a big crime

 

That's really a bad advise!!! Why not say "you should risk your source of income and all the negative publicity (before they check) to clarify since u don't think is a big crime"??

[lovehandle]

Dear shallow guest,

 

on the application form, there is already a line where  u tick do u have criminal records and if the ans is yes, u r to list down why is that so。。。

So what is it wrong with following the form?

and u need to sign to indicate that what you have shared are truthful....

So what other good advice can u offer?

No co. will ask you to risk your source of income , such a shallow person yet dare to rave so much about good advice!  Please learn to shut up if you are not a professional

[Guest]

To check if your record has been expunged, do visit here http://www.spf.gov.sg/epc/rscr/help.htm for the steps on retrieving the information.

[Guest]

3 hours ago, lovehandle said:

petty crime include gentlemen's crime: is still a crime

u should be open (before they check) to clarify since u don't think is a big crime

i also feel that this is not a good advise. If u wish to declare, then might as well not go for the interview at all. Because once u declare, they will not consider you anymore. They rather take another candidate with clean record.

[Guest]

1 hour ago, Guest said:

To check if your record has been expunged, do visit here http://www.spf.gov.sg/epc/rscr/help.htm for the steps on retrieving the information.

i know you can use singpass and check on your own records. But how about checking on other people's records? I don't think HR can use her singpass and check on her colleague's records

[ongjason]

12 hours ago, Guest said:

 

I read stories about employees declaring not being convicted or charged in court in their job application form and subsequently HR found out about their criminal records and the company confronted employee on why he/she is not truthful.

 

I know HR can do a google search, but if the case was not being reported in the media, how will HR be able to know? Based on what I know, if HR request for an employee’s criminal records from police, police is not supposed to divulge to them due to confidentiality.

 

Honestly, I have a petty criminal record and was wondering if HR has any means to find out. Any HR or police here knows?

 

http://www.police.gov.sg/epc/eACRS_CCDC.html, but NOTE: only defendants and their lawyers can apply for such records. 

 

I would advise you against disclosing your record, especially if your job is an entry-level job, since HR is unlikely to conduct background checks with CID or ISD just to verify the conviction status of an entry-level employee.  Anyway, your petty criminal record will be considered spent (NOT expunged though) in 5 years time from the date of the conviction.  Hope this helps.

[Guest]

5 minutes ago, ongjason said:

 

http://www.police.gov.sg/epc/eACRS_CCDC.html, but NOTE: only defendants and their lawyers can apply for such records. 

 

I would advise you against disclosing your record, especially if your job is an entry-level job, since HR is unlikely to conduct background checks with CID or ISD just to verify the conviction status of an entry-level employee.  Anyway, your petty criminal record will be considered spent (NOT expunged though) in 5 years time from the date of the conviction.  Hope this helps.

Yeah, only defendants and their lawyers can access. That's why i wonder how HR can find out. Plus CID or ISD, i believe, won't entertain their request for info. Where HR get the info from?

[Guest]

4 hours ago, lovehandle said:

Dear shallow guest,

 

on the application form, there is already a line where  u tick do u have criminal records and if the ans is yes, u r to list down why is that so。。。

So what is it wrong with following the form?

and u need to sign to indicate that what you have shared are truthful....

So what other good advice can u offer?

No co. will ask you to risk your source of income , such a shallow person yet dare to rave so much about good advice!  Please learn to shut up if you are not a professional

 

Are you stupid or what? Which company will hire anyone with even the smallest criminal record if it has that choice? So between a gainfully hired liar, and that of an unemployed honest person, which one would you rather be? Crime or not crime, the TS debt to society has been paid. If the company choose to let him go because of his "criminal record", will you help the TS put food on his table?

 

1 hour ago, Guest said:

i know you can use singpass and check on your own records. But how about checking on other people's records? I don't think HR can use her singpass and check on her colleague's records

 

Private Data Protection Act (PDPA) forbids anyone from revealing a third person's personal data to anyone else. So, even the HR should not be able to access anyone else's record except herself.

[lovehandle]

Do u need me to quote u some co.s and restaurants that hire ex convicts???? 

 

pls read more papers to keep urself abreast, so closedup!

 

the whole point of this thread is that he wish to apply for a job but he has a petty crime

 

it s not our duty to worry how the hr will react....

the form and the jd might as well state that all ex convicts do not need to apply instead

 

dont act smart by showing how u can scold or label others in this thread

[lovehandle]

and I have not advocated lying

 

If one day , by one way or another, if you are found out for not declaring earlier , you will still end up losing your job too, worst being exposed to the whole co. (always rem there is no secrets) or the papers (depending on your level)
If it is a lower level- blue collar position (or esp one that has no access to money eg in the banks), he/she wont have such concerns , he s more concerned in nailing a job fast and to have income soon, he wont be pondering whether is that a Petty crime or not and probably wont have the energy to come to bw to do a posting

Only a type of person can lie: the guest who can scold and act as though he is an expert in handling such matters in real life

 

Be it jack neo or MP, principals or not, your secrets are in one way washed publicly, truth will out eventually

[teatree]

If you really need that job badly to feed a family, in order not to jeopardize your chances, then don't reveal.  If found out later, then admit it and face the music. 

[Guest]

3 hours ago, lovehandle said:

Do u need me to quote u some co.s and restaurants that hire ex convicts???? 

 

pls read more papers to keep urself abreast, so closedup!

 

the whole point of this thread is that he wish to apply for a job but he has a petty crime

 

it s not our duty to worry how the hr will react....

the form and the jd might as well state that all ex convicts do not need to apply instead

 

dont act smart by showing how u can scold or label others in this thread

 

So you think HR forms put that question there to hire ex-convicts? You are really stupid to the extreme.

 

It is indeed not our duty to worry about how the HR will react. But we are answering to TS, not his HR.

 

I don't need to act smart here when you are advertising your stupidity to the entire world here.

 

 

 

[lovehandle]

6 minutes ago, Guest said:

 

So you think HR forms put that question there to hire ex-convicts? You are really stupid to the extreme.

 

It is indeed not our duty to worry about how the HR will react. But we are answering to TS, not his HR.

 

I don't need to act smart here when you are advertising your stupidity to the entire world here.

 

 

 

Yes u r doing the advertisement

pig calling urself stupid over here!

 

can u stop calling yourself, the thread title is clear to the blinds too, not a time for u to proclaim your stupidity or to keep repeating

[lovehandle]

Hiding behind the name of a guest does not mean that no one knows how stupid u are

 

focus on the hr background checks and stop dreaming that hr is as stupid as u

[Guest]

3 hours ago, lovehandle said:

Do u need me to quote u some co.s and restaurants that hire ex convicts???? 

pls read more papers to keep urself abreast, so closedup!

the whole point of this thread is that he wish to apply for a job but he has a petty crime

 

it s not our duty to worry how the hr will react....

the form and the jd might as well state that all ex convicts do not need to apply instead

 

dont act smart by showing how u can scold or label others in this thread

I am pretty sure those that worked in such restaurants are on a lower than market rate salary. I believe there are some companies who are sincere in giving them a livelihood. But the rest are trying to exploit them for a lower cost, they may not be as altruistic as they appear to be, 

 

Usually company will not state "people with blemishes need not apply" as it reflects very badly on themselves. But definitely this part of the application form is to help them weed out those with blemishes. 

 

U are advocating for frankness from the point of view of HR and company. Of course, company would want to have as truthful information as possible. But if you put yourself in the shoes of the employee, it doesn't pay to be too honest in this aspect.

 

Hope my comments didn't offend you, But your advise is really very unwise. 

[lovehandle]

Do it n then be courageous to face it later if discovered like what tea tree shared

 

 

he has not asked for Any advice at all , worst . advice from guests (not even guest speaker), he asked how wil HR knows , and if it is a petty crime , will they know too?

I have only given him fact, as an adult he can make his own decision... i have only hinted that "since u don't think is a big crime , then why worry, declare then"
Because the emphasis is" oh, it is just a petty crime" so be it then

[Guest]

3 hours ago, lovehandle said:

If it is a lower level- blue collar position (or esp one that has no access to money eg in the banks), he/she wont have such concerns , he s more concerned in nailing a job fast and to have income soon, he wont be pondering whether is that a Petty crime or not and probably wont have the energy to come to bw to do a posting

Only a type of person can lie: the guest who can scold and act as though he is an expert in handling such matters in real life

 

Be it jack neo or MP, principals or not, your secrets are in one way washed publicly, truth will out eventually

besides, it is only a few companies that opening welcome people with criminal record. U can count these companies within all ten fingers. And they are either in f&b or house movers. If u are in IT or working in bank or in finance, or worse still in HR, it doesn't make sense to throw away your IT degree or finance degree or HR degree and apply to work as waitors or chef in these restaurants that you talked about. 

 

Yes, Jack neo and recently someone was being exposed for so called personal indiscretion. But many are not exposed. For TT Durai, If the plumber didn't expose his gold plated tap, the truth will forever be kept as secret. But before the truth is told, everyone held Durai and Jack neo and even the MP in high regard. 

 

Your recommendation to declare is very suicidal and unwise (for the candidate). 

[lovehandle]

I have not done any recommendations

I have said tt there is no secret be it you are a celebrity or not

Don't have to divulge , then why is there a need to even open up this thread?everyone has secrets , none told their HR, why is there a need to discuss ?

if one's blindness did not allow you to see his questions , hence suicidal choices would be better than to be a living blind - this is my recommendation now

[Guest stupidme]

not sure if anyone can help me with this. this is really stupid. 

 

When i was 18, i used my grandmom concession card. SMRT caught me, they impose a 50sgd fine.

 

But ignored and they actually bring me to court (im not kidding, i went seek my MP''s help but no use)

 

So i attended court (surbordinate court) and the court fine me 800sgd.

 

is this considered a criminal offence?

 

thanks

[doncoin]

If it is for some minor petty crime, HR is not going to really bother. Like if you were fined for jay walking or throwing litter, HR is just going to let it pass. The criminal records that HR are more concerned with will be things like theft, and more serious crimes. 

[Guest]

24 minutes ago, doncoin said:

If it is for some minor petty crime, HR is not going to really bother. Like if you were fined for jay walking or throwing litter, HR is just going to let it pass. The criminal records that HR are more concerned with will be things like theft, and more serious crimes. 

i don't agree. It depends on how much the company need you. If they need you very badly for example, some very specialised IT or engin job, even if u have CBT record, i believe company will just ignore your record. If they don't want u, they got difficulty getting another candidate similar to you. But if u are in some general jobs, eg. admin, sales or even HR, it will depend on whether they are happy with you. If they are not happy with you, this can be a justification for them to terminate your employment contract. Afterall, they can easily find a replacement for you. 

[doncoin]

Well, then that becomes ground for discrimination. How well you can perform your task at work and your criminal record has very little to do with each other. 

 

If I get a speeding ticket, will it be grounds for termination? 

[Guest]

9 hours ago, Guest said:

i don't agree. It depends on how much the company need you. If they need you very badly for example, some very specialised IT or engin job, even if u have CBT record, i believe company will just ignore your record. If they don't want u, they got difficulty getting another candidate similar to you. But if u are in some general jobs, eg. admin, sales or even HR, it will depend on whether they are happy with you. If they are not happy with you, this can be a justification for them to terminate your employment contract. Afterall, they can easily find a replacement for you. 

 

In our current Singapore situation where anyone from any country can come in to take your job, the likelihood that you are not needed is higher.

 

5 hours ago, doncoin said:

Well, then that becomes ground for discrimination. How well you can perform your task at work and your criminal record has very little to do with each other. 

 

If I get a speeding ticket, will it be grounds for termination? 

 

Discrimination? So what? Who cares? The judge? The union? The laws here in Singapore protects the companies much more than that of the workers, especially Singaporean ones.

[TigerYam]

10 hours ago, Guest stupidme said:

not sure if anyone can help me with this. this is really stupid. 

 

When i was 18, i used my grandmom concession card. SMRT caught me, they impose a 50sgd fine.

 

But ignored and they actually bring me to court (im not kidding, i went seek my MP''s help but no use)

 

So i attended court (surbordinate court) and the court fine me 800sgd.

 

is this considered a criminal offence?

 

thanks

No, you don't have a criminal record. It is a small offence, just to pay a fine to settle. Fining $800 was very heavy....(actually, you can argue and deny, not to feel guilty, may be you are too scare of court.....it is why the punishment is heavy. Just remember one word...don't let the stupid court bully you!)

 

Those have criminal record are those people are being jailed. It is why our Singapore Government introduce a Second Chance to the working society.

 

HR....always "jia bah, nothing to do" one, it is their job....no choice. There are just a team of running dogs in the Companies.

 

 

[Guest]

32 minutes ago, Guest said:

 

In our current Singapore situation where anyone from any country can come in to take your job, the likelihood that you are not needed is higher.

 

Discrimination? So what? Who cares? The judge? The union? The laws here in Singapore protects the companies much more than that of the workers, especially Singaporean ones.

It depends on the level. If it is S pass and work permit, it may not be so bad as there are ratios and quotas. But these are the lower level jobs that singaporeans shun. The worst is Employment pass level where they are allowed to employ unlimited foreigners. These are the executive jobs that singaporeans want. 

 

It's very unfair to singaporeans. I know of a company who deliberately avoids employing singaporean males because they don't like the idea of the staff going away for 2-3 weeks at one go for ict. 

[Guest]

38 minutes ago, Since u r here said:

Precisely, if it is just a petty crime, just say it is a fine.. it is fine

 

 

It will not be fine. Once u declare it on the form, u can be sure you will not get the job offer

See the consequences of declaring :

 

http://www.mycarforum.com/topic/2202027-applicants-with-a-criminal-record/

[Guest]

When being honest can mean not being hired

Wednesday, Jan 02, 2013

20121231.180832_np_convict2.jpg

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SINGAPORE - Most of the job interviews he goes to end abruptly.

It is not because he is unsuitable for the job.

Rather, it is because Paul (not his real name), 38, had been to prison.

•  

In 1994, Paul was jailed five years for intent to rape his then-girlfriend and for drug charges.

Since his release in 1999, when he fills up job applications, he usually admits that he had been jailed.

That is when the awkward moment comes during job interviews.

Said Paul: "I don't want to lie and (I) make it a point to tell my potential employer of my convictions.

"But the moment I tell them, they either just end the interview immediately or tell me they can't hire me."

Paul has applied for countless jobs since his release, mostly for warehousing and factory positions. He has been to many interviews, but he faced the same response each time he told people about his convictions.

Checks by TNP for news reports regarding Paul's conviction came up with no results, making it appear that the incident had gone unreported in 1994.

"I am trying to move on with my life and be honest by coming clean. But my honesty leads to my downfall," said Paul.

He now has a job, earning $1,700 before CPF deductions. But his employer of three years knows nothing of his past.

Paul said he chose to conceal his past when applying for the position in a warehouse because he needed a job badly and could not take the rejections he kept facing.

But he is not at peace because each day when he goes to work, he fears that it will be his last.

Said Paul: "I always fear that at any time, my superiors will tell me they found out about my past and tell me to leave, or worse still, press charges against me."

TNP checked with a lawyer, Mr Rupert Seah, if not revealing prior convictions is a crime.

Mr Seah said it is not a crime, but it would be considered a breach of the employment contract.

He said that the ex-offender may have his employment terminated, depending on the terms and conditions stated in their contracts.

Said Mr Seah: "Some employers may expect a full disclosure to ensure that job performance is not affected, but there may be some whose main focus is that the person is able to do the job efficiently."

On one occasion, Paul was told by his then-employer to pack up and leave within 24 hours after his details were screened and his conviction was discovered.

Losing his job right now would be a catastrophe for him especially since his wife is retrenched and they have a toddler to care for.

Paul is looking for a second job to support his family and received an offer to be a despatch rider for a licensed moneylender.

But his application to work with the company was rejected by the Registry of Moneylenders three times, even after appeals made by his Member of Parliament.

His desperation to support his family even made him contemplate breaking the law to earn a quick buck - but his conscience stopped him.

He said: "Ex-convicts are also human. They also have families. We've paid heavily for what we've done, but why are we still being barred from moving on? When will we ever be forgiven?"

He told TNP that he was willing to sign a contract with any employer stating that he will "accept a heavier punishment" should he break the law while being employed.

Paul hopes to find an employer who will not judge him for his past and give him a chance to work. But he does not know when that day will come.

He wants to be able to drive a taxi part-time, but each time he picks up the form and tries to fill it, he throws it away when he reaches the question regarding criminal records.

"I feel like I've been in a prison since my release, only this prison is much worse. It's a mental prison and I feel tortured each day I've been out," he said.

"I sometimes think that they should have just left me in prison my whole life and not let me out if society will never give me a chance to move on."

A fellow ex-offender, Mr Alan Tan, 49, can relate to Paul because he, too, gets turned away by potential employers due to his time in jail.

Mr Tan was sentenced to nine months' jail last year for being a loanshark runner.

Before his arrest in February last year, he was working as a taxi driver for four years. When he was released in November, he returned to driving.

But nine months later, in August this year, his licence was revoked and he was instructed to return the cab. Since then, he has been looking for other driving jobs, but often gets rejected when potential employers find out he has been to jail.

Mr Tan now works as a part-time driver, but like Paul, his employer does not know of his convictions.

He said: "I have no choice but to keep it from them. If I tell them, I know I won't get the job, so what choice do I have?"

He added that his job search is limited because he has no qualifications.

To make matters worse, he is unable to do any work that requires heavy lifting because he suffers from arthritis and had two hip replacement operations.

Mr Tan used to be able to earn about $3,000 a month as a cabby, but now he earns barely a few hundred dollars a month working only when his company needs him.

"I've made my mistake and I paid for it. I just wish companies can see that and accept me for who I am so I don't have to keep lying just to earn an income," he said.

http://business.asiaone.com/career/ask/when-being-honest-can-mean-not-being-hired

 

 

[fab]

It depends on 

Types of convictions

Scopes of jobs

 

Eg. If u were convicted for stealing, u will not get the job of cashier. But to be a storeman should be no problem.

[lovehandle]

1 hour ago, fab said:

It depends on 

Types of convictions

Scopes of jobs

 

Eg. If u were convicted for stealing, u will not get the job of cashier. But to be a storeman should be no problem.

Fab, don't be so certain hor.....Later some will say that we gave stupid advice...In a store, or in a factory/mfg plant, there are many stuff for stealing too, even piping etc can of certain value
Like I say petty crime, including gentlemen crime : it includes taking office stationery ...not a big deal but still a big deal

If not, I wont see office girls, spending efforts labelling each of their pens and stationery with their big names on them, and it consistently proved that it is an issue
 

[teatree]

5 hours ago, Since u r here said:

I supposed the guest doesn't know how to differentiate a crime and fines? he said "petty crime"

Anyway, most employment forms will exclude traffic fines etc from the crimes (in the check list)

 

He said "petty criminal record" which is definitely not traffic or littering offences. It could be cheating or stealing offences. Whatever the offences are, once you declared it, there is 90% chance you won't be employed or being offered a lesser appointment.

[lovehandle]

Yup I suspect it s a gentlemen crime eg stealing - office stationery

Cheatg and stealing can b real big offences esp related to money and accounts 

[Guest]

4 hours ago, Since u r here said:

Yup, honesty  is a virtue!! Lke what lovehandle been trying to share as a fact (not a recommendation)....... you can choose to forgo such a virtue it if u want to....after committing a crime, the more a person should accumulate virtues and to repent

 

and the case shared above : a no-qualifcation worker will be screened (despite he is of low level work): "On one occasion, Paul was told by his then-employer to pack up and leave within 24 hours after his details were screened and his conviction was discovered. "


Many ignorants love to assumed that lower level workers are NOT screened! Damned presumptuous!
 

 

Will virtue put food on your table? Nope! 

 

Will a job put food on your table? Yeah!

 

Will covering up a criminal past give you a better chance at getting a job, or openly declaring your past criminal history give you a better chance at getting a job? 

[Guest]

7 hours ago, Guest said:

It depends on the level. If it is S pass and work permit, it may not be so bad as there are ratios and quotas. But these are the lower level jobs that singaporeans shun. The worst is Employment pass level where they are allowed to employ unlimited foreigners. These are the executive jobs that singaporeans want. 

 

It's very unfair to singaporeans. I know of a company who deliberately avoids employing singaporean males because they don't like the idea of the staff going away for 2-3 weeks at one go for ict. 

 

And to make matters worse, the foreign executives are repeating those same propaganda started by you-know-who, justifying to the world that they are taking up jobs that Singaporeans do not want, when in fact, they are taking up those very same jobs that WE WANT! 

[lovehandle]

ooooo the guests are back again

[Guest Tell me]

5 hours ago, Since u r here said:

Yup, honesty  is a virtue!! Lke what lovehandle been trying to share as a fact (not a recommendation)....... you can choose to forgo such a virtue it if u want to....after committing a crime, the more a person should accumulate virtues and to repent

 

and the case shared above : a no-qualifcation worker will be screened (despite he is of low level work): "On one occasion, Paul was told by his then-employer to pack up and leave within 24 hours after his details were screened and his conviction was discovered. "


Many ignorants love to assumed that lower level workers are NOT screened! Damned presumptuous!
 

Honesty,  In this days and age we still believe in that? Look at our politicians, enjoying the highest paid job and still doing shitty things.  The bosses than follow, exploiting workers to the max.  Sue me, if you suspect the company lost 2 pencils when I locked in extra half hour daily without getting paid for that.

 

 

[LookinAround]

Technically employers cannot perform criminal records check in Singapore even if they use background screening companies . There is however a way out since courts records are Available for searches so if you are going to be in a relatively senior position then the more stringent the checks. 

 

It is also dependent on the industry some are more stringent and require background checks 

 

i know certain employers and industries have been v supportive of yellow ribbon initiative and continue too. 

[Guest]

1 hour ago, LookinAround said:

Technically employers cannot perform criminal records check in Singapore even if they use background screening companies . There is however a way out since courts records are Available for searches so if you are going to be in a relatively senior position then the more stringent the checks. 

 

It is also dependent on the industry some are more stringent and require background checks 

 

i know certain employers and industries have been v supportive of yellow ribbon initiative and continue too. 

from what i know is that if the case goes to court and is reported in media, then there is no way out as a google search will produce the results.

 

In the article, it is quite puzzling how come this Paul can be caught. The new paper reporter tried to perform a search but nothing shows up. So how did the HR found out?

[Guest]

9 hours ago, lovehandle said:

ooooo the guests are back again

 

ooooo lovehandle is at it again

[doncoin]

I was talking to a friend of mine who runs HR, and this is what she shared about screening. If the company is to screen you for any background check, they must obtain your approval first. I.e. some job application forms will have a check box that you can check or not check. Secondly, the background check should not really affect your chances of job application. If you have 1 record, usually HR will be ok. They may be curious, and may ask you about it. Usually, this is where a reference from your probation officer will come in handy.  If your background check shows multiple criminal records, then it is a red flag. 

 

Another thing about criminal record HR will consider will be length of time between the crime and the time you apply for the job. I.e. if the criminal record was from 10 years ago, and that was the only offence, HR will let it pass. 

 

Apply with confidence, and if the questions about the criminal record does occur, be honest about it. Explain the circumstances, and make the interviewer see pass beyond the crime, and how you can be an asset to the company.

[jo.sam]

On 15/03/2016 at 9:00 AM, Guest said:

Mr Tan used to be able to earn about $3,000 a month as a cabby, but now he earns barely a few hundred dollars a month working only when his company needs him.

"I've made my mistake and I paid for it. I just wish companies can see that and accept me for who I am so I don't have to keep lying just to earn an income," he said.

http://business.asiaone.com/career/ask/when-being-honest-can-mean-not-being-hired

 

 

 

I know this article is from 2013 but I hope he's found a better living these days esp with uber and grabcar now in service.

[Guest]

6 hours ago, doncoin said:

I was talking to a friend of mine who runs HR, and this is what she shared about screening. If the company is to screen you for any background check, they must obtain your approval first. I.e. some job application forms will have a check box that you can check or not check. Secondly, the background check should not really affect your chances of job application. If you have 1 record, usually HR will be ok. They may be curious, and may ask you about it. Usually, this is where a reference from your probation officer will come in handy.  If your background check shows multiple criminal records, then it is a red flag. 

 

Another thing about criminal record HR will consider will be length of time between the crime and the time you apply for the job. I.e. if the criminal record was from 10 years ago, and that was the only offence, HR will let it pass. 

 

Apply with confidence, and if the questions about the criminal record does occur, be honest about it. Explain the circumstances, and make the interviewer see pass beyond the crime, and how you can be an asset to the company.

 

Will you risk losing your own job at the application stage itself by being honest about your criminal past?

[doncoin]

 

22 minutes ago, Guest said:

 

Will you risk losing your own job at the application stage itself by being honest about your criminal past?

 

It comes down to the company, and the HR person. 

[Guest anoymous]

On 3/19/2016 at 1:39 AM, doncoin said:

I was talking to a friend of mine who runs HR, and this is what she shared about screening. If the company is to screen you for any background check, they must obtain your approval first. I.e. some job application forms will have a check box that you can check or not check. Secondly, the background check should not really affect your chances of job application. If you have 1 record, usually HR will be ok. They may be curious, and may ask you about it. Usually, this is where a reference from your probation officer will come in handy.  If your background check shows multiple criminal records, then it is a red flag. 

 

Another thing about criminal record HR will consider will be length of time between the crime and the time you apply for the job. I.e. if the criminal record was from 10 years ago, and that was the only offence, HR will let it pass. 

 

Apply with confidence, and if the questions about the criminal record does occur, be honest about it. Explain the circumstances, and make the interviewer see pass beyond the crime, and how you can be an asset to the company.

 

Do HR usually go a background check before they offer the position ? or after ?

[doncoin]

4 hours ago, Guest anoymous said:

 

Do HR usually go a background check before they offer the position ? or after ?

 

Typically before. Once an offer is made, it is taken that they have done their due diligence on you. 

[Guest]

Pardon me, but what is define as criminal record? Jail and fine? or fine only? 

I was fined $4000 in 2010 in sub court for CBT, no stealing money, in fact i returned the money before i was caught by boss. 

Working now in a govt hospital but intend to apply for an higher grade job. I'm not sure if i should apply. 

[doncoin]

I may be wrong, but criminal record may include both fines and jail because a crime was committed. However the severity will determine the length that the record is public. 

 

In the US, petty crime records, like parking tickets, will be expunge after 5 years. The years may vary from state to state.