
After paying the consequences of your criminal act, you may want to put the whole thing behind you and get a fresh start. The first initiative you may take to get your life back and track and reassimilate back into society is looking for a source of employment. Unfortunately, this may be easier said than done. Continue reading to learn the difficulty of getting a job as a convicted felon and how one of the experienced New Jersey & Pennsylvania criminal defense lawyers at The Vigilante Law Firm can help you get your life back on track.
How difficult is it to get a job as a convicted felon?
You must understand that New Jersey employers have the legal right to ask about your criminal history during your job interview. Also during the hiring process, they are authorized to conduct a background check on you to confirm or deny your criminal record. Further, they are allowed to pass on your job application given your confirmed record. This is all to say that, yes, it may be more difficult to get a job with a New Jersey employer as a convicted felon.
However, do not be discouraged, as you are not completely shut out from job opportunities throughout the state. For one, the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission states that employers should not and cannot automatically reject applicants based on their criminal record. Plus, employers are encouraged to reflect on how the applicant’s criminal history would actually affect their performance in a certain job position (i.e., the nature of the job, the nature of the crime, how long ago they committed the criminal act, etc). Lastly, employers are warned not to immediately deny applicants who have since had their criminal record expunged.
However, by law, there may be certain job fields in which you may be barred from ever joining or rejoining indefinitely. More specific examples may include jobs in law enforcement, the federal government, and the healthcare industry.
What happens if I do not disclose my criminal history to my employer?
You may not have to disclose your criminal history to a potential New Jersey employer voluntarily. But if they do ask for this information, you must answer truthfully. This is because if they later discover that you abstained from the truth, they may strip you of your job title. Of note, your employer may terminate you from your position based on your lack of truthfulness rather than your criminal record itself. Therefore, it is always in your best interest to lead with honesty.
If you still have doubts about proceeding, please consult one of the skilled New Jersey employment lawyers. Our team at The Vigilante Law Firm will point you in the right direction.