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Ontario|Criminal LawCriminal Records 795 How criminal records affect employment Having a criminal record, even in cases where the charges were withdrawn or you were acquitted, can have serious negative effects when you look for employment. A criminal record can also be an obstacle when seeking a job promotion, getting contracts if you are self employed, your ability to be bonded, and may prevent you from being licensed as a nurse, casino dealer, security guard, taxi driver, stock broker and so on.
- Getting Employment or Becoming Licensed
Many employers and licensing boards are now conducting mandatory police clearance searches before hiring individuals or allowing applicants into training programs. By signing an application form or an employment agreement, you may be giving permission for a criminal record search to be conducted.
- Career Advancement
Companies that never before required criminal record searches are now doing so, hindering people who apply for internal promotions. Discovery of a criminal record may not only prevent an employee's opportunity for career advancement within the company, but it may also lead to being fired.
In many cases, such as government offices and school boards, employers are conducting police clearance searches on existing employees. Discovery of a criminal record can lead to being fired, even in a case where the person has been employed for several years.
- Self-employment
People who are self-employed are not immune to criminal record searches. Many companies who sub-contract work to individuals or to businesses are now requiring criminal record searches to be conducted on the independent contractor or the owners of the business. This is especially true in situations where the independent contractor will have access to confidential information or will be working with vulnerable people, such as children. Computer programmers, bookkeepers and nannies are just three examples of careers where criminal record searches are commonly required.
- Being Bonded
For people in jobs where bonding is required, it is often too expensive for employers to bond employees who have criminal records. Being bonded means that the employer is paying for insurance against the risk of employees committing crimes such as theft or fraud. If you have a criminal record, the insurance company will charge your employer a premium and your employer may not be able, or willing to pay the added cost. As a result, you might not be hired.
If you wish to apply for a job or become licensed in a particular industry, it is best to have your criminal record removed before you submit your application. For information about having your criminal record removed, you may call the Pardons Canada telephone support line, listed on the Legal Line Guide and website, and in your telephone book.
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