Can Companies Refuse to Hire Non Serious Felons if the Charge Has No Connection to the Job Requirements.?

Question by peegemonster: Can companies refuse to hire non serious felons if the charge has no connection to the job requirements.?
I have a drug charge like Jeb Bushes daughter did on my record except I did not have to attend rehab and did not violate the probabtion as she did. Michigan does not offer the same sentencing option that Florida does so after I completed my 9 months of probabtion the charge remained on my record and is showing up on background checks. The charge should not affect the jobs I am applying for and worked for my previous company for 3 years after my probabtion was over and they never said anything and they new about it completely. I was laid off with a large group and now find myself searching the job market and wonder if I am honest on my application is this protected under EOCC.
To answer “oddball” I was not taking the drugs. My friend is a physician and someone took one of his scripts from a pad he left at my house and had it filled. They caught the person but they pointed the finger at me. After doing a complete investigation they could only find this one case, they used her as a witness and hung me out to justify the expense. My lousy lawyer told me just to plead no contest and get it behind me so now I am trying to get it reduced to possesion of unsigned scripts or removed from record. So I did accept responsibility ODDBALL for leaving them around where someone could get them.

Best answer:

Answer by curiositycat
I forgot to add that if you need to get bonded, there is a Federal Bonding program through the Department of Labor that doesn’t cost you or the employer anything-check into it-

Answer by Helpinghand
Having a felony conviction is not something that is considered a protected class under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. However, many states do have laws that prohibit employers from discriminating against people who have a that can not shown to be related to the work that they will be performing. The reality of the situation though is that some employers might not seriously consider you for a position if you are honest about your record but use a generic excuse of “not being qualified” when communicating to you and there’s not much you can do about that. The risk you run by not listing your record is that many companies now do criminal background checks. If the application asks a question about your criminal record and you state that you don’t have a record but it is found during a background check that you do, you would be disqualified by the employer for submitting false information on an application.

2 Responses to Can Companies Refuse to Hire Non Serious Felons if the Charge Has No Connection to the Job Requirements.?

  • mkpaulk says:

    The Federal Bonding Program would ease concerns that might arise for many potential employers. “Bonds are available to any individual who is qualified for a specific job and is not commercially bondable; who has a firm job offer of fulltime, steady work, with a reasonable expectation of permanence, and is not self-employed.”(www.doleta.gov) The bonds are issued in $ 500 increments, up to $ 10,000, depending on the type of job and access you would have to equipment, vehicles, etc. The bond can last anywhere from 6 to 12 months, depending on your state, and can be applied for by either yourself or a potential employer. Go to http://www.doleta.gov and do a search for Federal Bonding Program, or locate a local Department of Labor Career Center.

  • oddball says:

    Accept the responsibility for what you did and quit feeling sorry for yourself. She did not get special treatment over you. She lives in Florida and you in Michigan. The State laws are different. If you want to continue in the drug life and get treated like her, then move to Florida.

    You are not a victim. You made the choices to use drugs and got caught.You and only you are responsible for what happened and the sentence you received. It is also up to you how your life proceeds in the future.

    A business does not have to hire you. They can deny employment based on your conviction.

    If you are not truthful with your employer, he will discover your conviction and fire you. Not for the conviction, but that you lied on your application. Most employers will give a convicted felon another chance but, won’t pee on liar if he’s on fire.

    If you are serious about wanting a good life, then stay off and away from the drugs. The best way to show employers you are a different person now it to lead a lawful, productive life. It will show on background checks in the future. Remember, simple things like speeding tickets can reflect bad on you. They show you still have little or no respect for the law.

    The most important thing is for you to turn your life around. You will not be able to do this as long as you continue to think of yourself as a Victim. You are not a Victim because the Bush girl got treated better than you. You cannot change as long as you consider yourself a Victim of society. The change will happen when you are willing to accept responsibility for yourself, your life and your actions.

    If you don’t want to do that, then find a woman that will support you and provide you with all the Pity you desire. “Poor baby, it’s not your fault. Society made you do drugs. Then society wrongfully punished you after the forced you to break the law. Here some money so you can get your stuff and feel better, baby”.

    THAT’S ALL I GOT TO SAY ABOUT THAT!