In today’s job market, securing employment can be a challenging task for any individual. However, it can be even more difficult to get a job if you are a convicted felon. Individuals with criminal records often face unfair and additional barriers to employment. Avoiding a criminal conviction is important for many reasons, including preventing issues obtaining employment. Work with a Montgomery County felony lawyer during your case for skilled representation and legal advice.

Why is it Difficult to Get a Job for a Convicted Felon?

One of the most significant and unfortunate reasons that it can be difficult to get a job as a convicted felon is the stigma associated with having a criminal record. Society often has a negative perception of individuals with convictions or arrests, leading people to judge them unfairly. Employers, whether knowingly or unknowingly, tend to be reluctant to hire someone with a felony conviction. They may have biases or concerns about the applicant’s risk to their business, moral standing, and reliability.

Many states also have restrictions on the type of employment that individuals with felony convictions can obtain. Occupations in fields like education, healthcare, politics, law enforcement, or financial services may have requirements for applicants, including a clean criminal record. Convicted felons may simply be ineligible to receive certain licensing or certifications, limiting their options for employment.

Are there Laws Protecting Convicts From Job Discrimination?

Pennsylvania, like many other states, has implemented ban-the-box legislation. This term is used to describe laws protecting job applicants from inquiries about their prior criminal history. Background checks are all too common in job applications and employers tend to filter out candidates with a criminal history regardless of their current qualifications.

The Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards Ordinance was enacted to prevent discrimination in applicants based on criminal convictions. Under this law, certain biases are removed and employers are encouraged to hire ex-offenders. Employers are prohibited from running a background check or asking a candidate about their criminal history before first extending a conditional job offer. This allows applicants to showcase their qualifications and skills, proving how they can be a valuable asset to the company without the employer being swayed by the knowledge of a criminal record.

The ordinance enforces the following.

  • Job applications cannot contain questions about criminal history
  • Employers cannot ask applicants about criminal history during the application process
  • Employers cannot ask applicants or current employees about arrests or accusations that did not lead to a conviction
  • A criminal background check can be conducted only after the employer has determined that the candidate is qualified for the job and given them a conditional job offer

An employer is within their rights to rescind the offer after examining the candidate’s criminal history. However, they must explain how the conviction relates to their ability to adequately perform the functions of the job.

Contact an Attorney Today

If you are facing criminal charges it is important that you obtain skilled representation. You and your lawyer can formulate an effective defensive strategy to defend against your charges. Reach out to an experienced attorney today.