Should You Ever Hire Someone With a Criminal Record to Work in Your Business?

Employers put a lot of effort into picking the best people for job openings, usually focusing on attributes like past experience and education.

However, if you’re responsible for hiring new team members, you might also be concerned about any potential issues in their backgrounds which might impact their suitability for a given role.

A criminal record could be seen as a major red flag in this scenario, but is it ever a legitimate reason to discount an applicant? There’s a lot to unpack here, so strap in and we’ll explain everything you need to know.

The Basic Pros and Cons of Hiring Someone With a Criminal Record

When it comes to hiring someone with a criminal record, business owners need to consider both the risks and the potential rewards.

On one hand, there’s always concern that this person could put your business at risk if they commit another crime while employed by you.

On the other hand, giving someone with a criminal record an opportunity can have positive outcomes for all parties involved.

Before deciding whether or not to hire someone with a criminal background in your business, you need to investigate all your options, and also understand your legal obligations in this context.

Understanding Different Degrees of Crime

In terms of determining whether a person with a criminal record is suitable for employment in your business, it’s important to understand the different types and levels of crime.

There are some crimes, such as fraud or charges where aggravated assault was involved, that would be considered too serious by most businesses, regardless of the time elapsed since conviction.

On the other hand, less serious offenses may not have an impact on one’s suitability for certain roles. Asking questions about the type and degree of the crime when assessing potential employees can help you make informed decisions about who will bring value to the job position, without putting your organization at risk.

Re-Entry into the Workforce: How to Support Ex-Offenders in Your Business

For ex-offenders, gaining employment after release can be a difficult task. However, giving someone with a criminal background the opportunity to work and gain experience is beneficial not only for that individual, but also your business as well.

There are various ways you can support ex-offenders when they enter your workforce, such as by providing training and mentorship opportunities, or even developing specific policies tailored towards this group of people.

This could help create an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued no matter their past experiences or mistakes.

Better still, if you’re forward-thinking in your approach here, it can bolster the reputation of your brand, and help it appeal to more customers as well, so it’s a strategically savvy move to weigh up.

Legal Considerations When Hiring Someone With a Criminal Record

Even if you decide that hiring employees with a checkered history is sensible, you need to be aware of the legal implications of doing so.

For instance, depending on your country or state laws, you may need to obtain written consent from any prospective employee before conducting background checks into their past activities. This will help ensure that all parties involved are aware of, and agree upon, the process taking place.

Additionally, employers should also consider whether an applicant’s conviction would prevent them from carrying out certain tasks associated with the job they are being hired for. This could cover things like operating heavy machinery, or handling confidential information.

Taking these considerations into account can help protect both parties in case any issues arise further down the line. It’s also relevant from a team building perspective, since you want to make sure every member of staff is on the same page.

Balancing Risk and Opportunity: Can It Ever Be Worth It?

Although there is always an element of uncertainty when it comes to hiring someone who has been convicted of a crime in the past, your company may benefit from having such individuals on board if they are able to make positive contributions through their skills and experience.

Ultimately, this is a decision that you need to make based on the needs of your business, as well as the industry it occupies, the types of customers it serves, the laws that apply in the regions it operates in, and your own personal ethics.

For some business owners, a shortage of skilled workers could be enough of a reason to broaden the net when recruiting for available roles. For others, it is neither viable nor sensible, so you have to forge your own path.

Final Thoughts

If there is any doubt remaining about whether you should hire someone with a criminal record to work in your business, consult an employment expert and speak to legal professionals for more in-depth and specific advice and guidance. That way you can be sure that any decision you make is the right one.