Everyone makes mistakes! But some have consequences that last longer than others — and if you’ve ever tried to get a job with a criminal record, you probably know exactly what we mean.Some people who make mistakes repeat the same missteps. Others try to improve their lives and the lives of those around them by turning things around. Pursuing gainful employment is a common way to achieve this, but your criminal record doesn’t always make it easy. Here’s a quick guide on how to get a job with a criminal record and thrive.
What Jobs Can’t You Get With a Criminal Record?
One of the things about mistakes is that eventually, you decide you need to change. For instance, many people who once dealt with criminal behavior experience a moment of clarity where they realize they're not helping themselves.You might find yourself in the same position — even if you felt unjustly targeted by the criminal justice system. At some point, you'll want to cut your career-hunting losses and focus on job opportunities with the highest odds of providing a welcoming environment. If you only apply for jobs that forbid criminal record holders from employment, you'll run into a brick wall. It's completely legal for employers to reject you based on your available criminal history.With that in mind, here are some jobs that you might want to put on the back burner if you still have a criminal record. We're not saying you can't seek these kinds of employment in the future, but as we'll cover later, you might need to do something about your current record first.
Jobs That Need Police Clearance, Background Checks, or Thumbprint Verification
Many careers require background checks or police clearance, like jobs dealing with large amounts of cash or other trusted roles. These standards may seem strict, but businesses use them to ensure they can entrust their employees with significant responsibility.Criminal record checks typically fall into a few categories. In addition to your criminal record, they can include any outstanding judicial matters or offenses involving vulnerable sectors of society. We'll go into more detail on these categories later, but for now, know that different types of requests can reveal distinct offenses.Thumbprint identification is a similar kind of hurdle. When employers collect candidate thumbprints, they send the information to the RCMP. If you're on file, this usually turns up any criminal history you might have.
Jobs Where You Work With Minors, Elders, or Other Vulnerable Members of Society
Jobs involving minors and vulnerable seniors commonly exclude criminal record holders from the eligible applicant pool. This fact of life reflects people's perception of convicted persons as being less trustworthy.Although these ideas are starting to evolve as the public comes to appreciate the nuances of the criminal justice system, things take time to change. For now, roles like teaching, babysitting, and working in elderly care will remain closed to you as long as you have a record.
Jobs Requiring Bonding
Some employers and jobs require their candidates to be bondable. In other words, you have to be insurable against losses that might occur as a result of your actions. This requirement typically crops up in fields like home services and property handiwork.Having bonded employees serves as a company's calling card — the business can advertise to homeowners or other clients that it's a trustworthy provider. The problem is that insurers typically won't bond criminal record holders. Even if the employer wants to give you a break, doing so might place the entire company at risk.Bonding requirements can also impact your ability to open a business. An insurance company might not want to serve you if you're a criminal record holder, even if you have other credentials like a medical license.
Government Jobs
All positions with the Government of Canada demand some kind of clearance or security status. To receive a clearance, you'll need to get a criminal record check based on your fingerprints. This is a mandatory process.
What Jobs Can You Get With a Criminal Record?
Fortunately, plenty of jobs are open to criminal record holders. In fact, there are so many opportunities that it's impossible to list them all here. Instead, let's look at some common factors.
Employers aren’t allowed to ask any question they want about your criminal record.
Your prospective employer may ask if you've been convicted of a crime that you haven't removed from your record. If you've been convicted of a crime and later had your record suspended for that charge, they can't ask about it — you're also allowed to say you don't have a criminal record.
Getting a record suspension removes an offense from your history.
There are few restrictions on when employers can ask for criminal record checks. If you're worried about what might turn up, however, seeking a record suspension is an option. Convictions for which you've received a record suspension don't appear on your record.
Many provincial offenses don’t show up on criminal records.
Employers aren't allowed to ask if you've received a conviction for breaking a provincial law, such as careless driving. These offenses typically don't show up on your criminal record.There are caveats, of course. The law lets employers reject candidates if doing so seems reasonable or necessary based on the job's duties. For instance, going back to the careless driving example, a company might be allowed to deny you a truck driver role if you have multiple traffic offenses and could pose a risk to the public.
Basic police interactions aren't permitted to show up in a record check.
Some interactions with the police don’t result in criminal records, so don’t let them stop you from seeking employment! If you were stopped and questioned, arrested without being charged, or contacted during a mental health crisis, these incidents won’t show up on an employer check. The same goes for contacting the police to report a crime.The big exception to these rules involves vulnerable sector record checks. These reports may reveal non-conviction information involving seniors, children, and other at-risk members of society. They can also include offenses like sexual assaults and crimes that demonstrate a pattern of predatory behavior.
Getting a Job Despite Your Criminal Record
There are a couple of ways to get a job even with a criminal record. The first — and easiest — is to apply for jobs where having a record doesn't matter. For instance, many private sector roles involving general unskilled labor, manufacturing, and agriculture offer good career opportunities to convicted individuals. These jobs can also be stepping stones to building a healthy resume.The second option takes more work, but the rewards can be far greater. Pursuing a record suspension before you seek employment could be the key to many opportunities you'd otherwise lack.
Why Pursue a Record Suspension as a Job Seeker?
Why are record suspensions so powerful? It's all about how lenient the law is when employers request access to your criminal history. In other words, businesses that want to hire people face few restrictions.Any employer can ask you for a criminal record check or a combined criminal record and judicial matters check. While the standard record retrieval only shows crimes resulting in a conviction, the criminal record and judicial matters check adds extra details. For instance, it can include crimes where you received an absolute discharge or conditional discharge instead of a conviction as long as they're recent. It also shows outstanding warrants and charges.The point to remember is that criminal records are extensive. Employers might not be willing to overlook your history because of the circumstances or timing, no matter how much you've matured since. Because society stigmatizes criminal record holders, your record can hold back your attempts to move forward. It's also worth noting that remedies like absolute and conditional discharges are at the court's discretion — so they're not a reliable way to improve your odds of employment.
How to Apply for a Record Suspension
To seek a criminal record suspension, you'll need to go through the Parole Board of Canada. Unfortunately, this process can take quite some time depending on the nature of your offense.The delay is partly due to the built-in waiting period. If your conviction involved a minor crime, then you'll have to wait five years from the completion of your sentence before seeking a suspension. The waiting period doubles to ten years for more severe crimes. Simple possession of cannabis offenses don't count toward the waiting period requirements, and the Parole Board isn't allowed to consider them.After completing all your obligations, including serving jail time, paying restitution, and satisfying the terms of your probation, you’re set to apply. The fee is only $50, which makes this an accessible option for most people, but it’s important to remember that there are numerous steps involved. For instance, you’ll need to retrieve your official RCMP record, collect official stamped and signed documents, and provide proof that you’ve completed your sentence terms.Navigating the process can be tricky, and figuring out whether you'll be eligible isn't always straightforward. To explore more options for getting a job with a criminal record, talk to an AllCleared specialist.
